'Senior judge to send every violent drunk to jail'

Young people caught up in alcohol-related violence should expect zero-tolerance prison sentences, a senior judge warned yesterday. Judge Graham Cottle said that even those who have never been in trouble before will go to jail if they are found guilty of violent disorder in his court. - The Daily Mail ​

Punch Taverns shares have risen 54½p to 312p amid hopes that CVC, which historically has been interested in pub investments, could make a move. However, some argued that although Punch shares may look cheap, its high borrowing remains a big obstacle to a bid - The Times ​

Pubs and restaurants can, and have, claimed rebates for the impact of the smoking ban. This is because firms suffering from the economic slowdown could reduce their business rates bills if they can show that they are suffering an economic loss from a "material change" in the local area physical environment or to their business premises - The Telegraph ​

A man with dementia who strangled his wife has been spared jail but banned from his local pub after a judge decided he was too unwell to go to prison. The judge said. "You still go to the pub where you went with your wife. That must annoy her relatives. Not being able to go there will be a more meaningful disposal than a prison sentence which will not last long." - The Guardian ​

Avanti Screenmedia, whose shares have risen from 0.88p to 3.125p, have signed a three-year deal with Setanta Sports to sell airtime and associated advertising and sponsorship into pubs on its sports channels. - The Times​