Jail threat for smoke ban rebel

7:45pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

Smoke ban rebel Hamish Howitt faces fines of £4,000, and has been warned he faces a spell behind bars if he doesn't pay.

Howitt, licensee of the Happy Scots Bar and Delboy's Bar, on Rigby Road, in Blackpool, denied charges of flouting the smoking ban, introduced nationally on July 1 last year, but was hit with a fine of £1,950 and costs of £2,000 during his appearance at Preston Magistrates Court today.

It was Howitt's seventh appearance in court during his fight to allow people to smoke in his bar.

District Judge Michael Singleton warned Howitt that failure to pay the fines could result in a jail term.

Howitt has now suggested he will take his case to the High Court to seek a judicial review.