Licensees in uproar over discrimination fine

The managers of an Oxfordshire pub have hit out at receiving a massive fine after a man successfully claimed he was refused service because he is a traveller.

Carol Griffiths, licensee at the Blue Mile in Littlemore, Oxford, was ordered to pay Christopher Joyce £2,500 for injury to his feelings, £2,000 damages and £3,000 court costs under the Race Relations Act, relating to an incident that occurred on June 20 last year.

However, Mrs Griffith's partner, Tony Webb, who has since been added to the licence, claimed the pub did not receive the court summons which was sent out on March 20, 2006 and has yet to receive any notification of the award or compensation. "We most certainly didn't receive anything," he said. "The first we heard of it was when the local paper contacted us. We haven't been given the opportunity to defend ourselves."

Mrs Griffiths denied she was a racist, claiming Mr Joyce was refused service because he and his family failed to leave her previous pub quickly enough after drinking-up time.

There is also confusion over any possible appeal. Mick Sheridan, a director for Maidstone-based React Inns, which owns the Blue Mile, said he will appeal.

However, React Inns is a division of the London & Edinburgh Swallow Group, which is in administration.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen. Mr Sheridan isn't returning my calls. I'll have to appeal myself if I don't hear from Mr Sheridan," said Mr Webb.

When contacted by The Publican, Ernst & Young, the administrators, refused to comment on the case."It's nothing to do with us," said a spokeswoman. All attempts to contact Mr Sheridan have proved fruitless.

Mr Joyce, who was assisted by the Oxfordshire Racial Equality Council in bringing the case, said he will return to the Blue Mile to order a drink when he receives the compensation money.