A NEW Forest pub with a recent history of drugs and violence has won a reprieve from closure after brewery company Marstons agreed to abide by strict conditions.

Hampshire Police had called for a licence review of the Sportsman’s Arms pub at The Square, Pennington, on crime and disorder and public safety grounds.

However the hearing was called off.

Police were to allege a drunken man suffered a broken nose and other injuries in the gents’ toilet when beaten up on February 13.

Customers tried to hinder the police investigation by clearing up blood and a member of staff twice failed to turn up for interview.

Four days later police attended the pub and another member of staff, Mr Redmond, was unaware of who the designated premises supervisor (DPS) Tracey Attwood was, the police claimed.

Mr Redmond was not a personal licence holder, but despite this, continued to sell alcohol, they alleged.

Marstons plc was contacted and it made David Franklin the DPS.

But by March 25, he had not signed up to the Pubwatch scheme, Mr Redmond had still not trained and no log had been made of refusals to serve, it was said.

Police said Mr Franklin also failed to report a fight in the pub on February 27.

Police found traces of cocaine and ecstacy and more drugs traces were found on another occasion.

Mr Franklin also failed to turn up for police interviews.

Sgt Tim Adams said: “Licence holders Marstons have agreed to all of the proposed conditions and have replaced the DPS.

“As a result a review hearing is no longer necessary.

“We will of course continue to monitor the public house and work with the new management.

“Our aim is to support licensees to help them provide safe and enjoyable premises for their customers whilst ensuring they do not have an adverse impact on local residents.”

Conditions include: staff training to ensure no underage drinking, drunkenness, use of drugs or antisocial behaviour; the installation of CCTV and Pubwatch membership.

Marstons was pleased concerns “have now been allayed”.