Host behind bars for non-payment of fines

Licensee Geoff Monks was behind bars this week as the latest twist in a long-running legal saga involving his local council unfolded. Magistrates have ruled that Monks should serve the remainder of a four-month prison sentence imposed for non-payment of fines following food safety charges brought by East Northamptonshire District Council. The initial sentence was temporarily lifted to allow Monks to receive hospital treatment for a serious heart complaint. Monks, who runs three pubs in the Northampton area, fell foul of the environmental health authority following a highly-publicised complaint about one of his restaurants from a local solicitor. He was originally ordered to pay more than £27,000 in fines and costs, although the figure was reduced to £20,000 on appeal. The first figure is believed to be the biggest ever penalty against an individual trader for food hygiene offences. Monks was also fined £12,500 ­ claimed to be another record fine ­ after a mouse was reportedly seen at another of his pubs, the Samuel Pepys. Monks' ill health and the publicity surrounded the case have forced the closure of two of his pubs while takings at the third, the Snooty Fox at Lowick near Kettering, have plummeted from more than £1m down to £200,000. In total, defending the legal actions has cost Monks around £150,000 in legal fees, while his pubs have lost a total of £4m in business. Friends have now launched a campaign to free Monks, who is currently residing in HMP Woodhill. But it is understood that even if he is freed, Monks faces further public health offences involving alleged problems at another of his pubs, the Vane Arms, Sudborough.