Smoke rebel Howitt back in court today
Smoke rebel Hamish Howitt faces his second court appearance today on charges of flouting the ban.
The owner of Delboys Sports Bar, which incorporates Happy Scots karaoke bar, was allegedly caught flouting the ban the day just two days after he became the first licensee to be fined for allowing smoking.
This time I will plead not guilty. I want to take this to the European Court of Human Rights.Hamish HowittSmoke ban rebel
Howitt pleaded guilty to 12 offences of allowing smoking on the first occasion. He was fined £500 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs. There was a £15 surcharge to help victims of crime.
Howitt said: "This time I will plead not guilty. I want to take this to the European Court of Human Rights. I am getting support from all over Britain. I won't back down."
Howitt has dismissed his barrister and plans to defend himself. He has seven conditional discharges from the previous case hanging over his head - with each carrying a maximum £2,500 fine.
He faces just one charge this time but received a summons for a further six charges of allowing smoking this morning.
Judge's warning
Although Howitt escaped heavy punishment last time, District Judge Peter Ward warned him: "I suggest your campaign has been silly, pointless and misguided. It has achieved nothing. All it seems to have done is cause a great deal of problems for yourself."
Howitt is fighting on all fronts after Blackpool council revoked the premises licence at Delboys claiming three of the four objectives of the licensing act had not been upheld.
Howitt is appealing the decision as he claims the health and safety breaches, which sparked the review, occurred at Happy Scots and not Delboys.
Read the full articles here; Smoke rebel Howitt has licence revoked Blackpool council explains smoke rebel's review
The Morning Advertiser will bring you more news on the case throughout the day.
