Smoke ban landlord vows to quit

An Oxfordshire landlord has vowed to stop smoking in his own pub and ban customers from lighting up after being fined more than £1,700.

Gerry Stonhill, of the Masons Arms in Witney, admitted five offences under the new smoke-free legislation.

But on Wednesday he said he had "learned his lesson" and would stop people smoking on his premises.

He was fined a total of £1,750 and ordered to pay £4,000 costs at Witney Magistrates' Court.

"I've had my wrist slapped and it won't happen again, I have learned my lesson," he said.

"I knew they were smoking and that it was banned, but I won't comment any further."

The owner was given three fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area at court on Monday.

He was also fined £50 for smoking in a banned area himself and fined £200 for not displaying the correct No Smoking sign.

Bill Oddy, head of community services at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: "This investigation was carried out after a member of the public complained to the council.

"Our officers provided advice and several attempts were made to persuade Mr Stonhill to comply with the law."

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