In July last year officers visited the Fleece Inn at Northallerton and ordered a pint of lager and a pint of ale.
There was no problem with the lager, but the Wainwright ale allegedly contained approximately 5% less than the 540ml minimum required to be acceptable in a full 568ml pint glass, Northallerton Magistrates’ Court heard.
The penalty can be a fine of £5,000, as well as potential damage to the pub’s reputation, but magistrates cleared licensee Michelle Craggs of all charges.
Craggs
Craggs took over the pub in 2013 and has been in the industry for 30 years. She wasn’t working at the time and the drinks were poured by a trainee barman, but the licensee has described the case as 'ridiculous'.
The pub received a letter in October last year, detailing the charge.
The 51-year-old also feared she would go bankrupt if found guilty. According to the Daily Mail, she said: “It has been a very stressful time and it has been hard on our staff too. I took it personally.”
The barrister representing North Yorkshire County Council argued the offence had been committed under the Fair Trading Act.
Hearing
After the three hour hearing, magistrates established that bar staff are trained to make sure that all served measures are correct and Craggs was cleared of all charges.
A council spokesman said: “The court concluded that she trained her staff adequately. We will note this view when considering future cases.”
The council must pay all legal costs, details of which have not been disclosed.