I'm not responsible for student's canal death says pub manager: VOTE

Police have compiled evidence that they hope will result in Swinton’s Bridge Bar being stripped of its alcohol license.

They launched a review after the body of Jonathan Law (22) was found in the canal near the pub in July, following a birthday party night out.

Licensing officer Pc Dave Thompson  showed Rotherham Borough Council’s licensing committee evidence of underage drinking and said that there had been nine incidents of violence since May 2010.

He added: “There’s damning evidence of how their premises are currently mismanaged.

“We have gone down the path of voluntary conditions and come to the unfortunate situation where a young man out celebrating a birthday has died.

“The only reason Jonathan Law was attracted to that area was because it’s the late bar.”

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Pub manager Marie Machin responded angrily, saying: “I do my job, I ask for ID.

“As for Jonathan Law, I don’t appreciate the police basically blaming me for his death. It’s not very nice to be branded with that.”

Mrs Machin and Brett Jones, who lease the pub from licence-holder Gary Mansfield, said the real issue was speed of dispersal after the 1.30am close on Fridays and Saturdays.

They blamed the neighbouring 24-hour garage, where customers head for more alcohol, for pub customers lingering around Dunn Street.

Management proposed conditions including more security, CCTV at the lobby entrance, and a new designated premises supervisor.

They will be informed of a decision in writing next week.