InBrief

TV cheat caught with wrong card

A London licensee has been ordered to do 100 hours of community service work and pay costs of £768.68 after he was caught showing Sky Sports three times in his pub using a domestic viewing card. The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), working on behalf of Sky, prosecuted Hardev Bharaj, licensee of the Lord Clyde in Hounslow, on 26 January.

Cheap beer brings frenzy to Asda

Supermarket chain Asda has said an "admin error" was responsible for cans of Tennent's lager being sold for 25p. Asda in Edinburgh sold the 500ml cans for 25p each for one day, leading to a buying frenzy. An Asda spokeswoman said: "It was an administrative error, not a promotion. The error was spotted and the price was down for one day and then put up." The cans were intended to cost £1 each.

Devon police warn of pub burglaries

South west police are warning licensees to be on their guard after a spate of pub burglaries in Devon. Four pubs have been targeted in recent weeks, including two at the weekend. Officers say licensees in the area should take simple precautions - such as locking doors to private quarters and leaving lights on when out - to deter the offenders. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Pipe-smoking contest may end

A Northamptonshire licensee fears the smoking ban will put an end to 150 years of tradition at his pub. Clive Rimmer of the Bull in Harpole stages a pipe-smoking contest at his pub every year - an event he believes dates back to 1856. But he is concerned that this year's contest will be the last to be staged indoors as smoking in the pub will be against the law next year. Rimmer told the Northampton Chronicle: "It's something we are going to have to look at. Holding the contest outside simply wouldn't be the same."

Northern Irish pubs await advice

Councillors in Northern Ireland are worried that pubs are not taking the smoking ban seriously and will not be prepared in time. Derry City Council chiefs raised their concerns this week. The ban is due to come into effect on 30 April, but pubs are still waiting for the official guidelines - meaning licensees are struggling to prepare.