A FLAMBOYANT licensee who admits he flouted the anti-smoking law in his pub and restaurant for almost two years says he will toe the line after a big court bill.

Gerry Stonhill was handed fines and costs of £5,765 at Witney magistrates court, but revealed this week that a customer has already given him a £500 cheque towards it.

He also told the Gazette that he still thinks the law is 'stupid' and that there are 'plenty of others out there who think the same'.

Mr Stonhill, owner of The Mason Arms, at South Leigh, pleaded guilty last week to six separate offences brought by West Oxfordshire District Council under the Health Act 2006.

One of the fines was for his own lighting up in a smoke-free area in the premises.

"My customers know I think the law is stupid, and I have flaunted it well and truly for almost the past two years," said Mr Stonhill.

"But I have had my spanking, and I've now had to put a line under it."

The landlord, who has built up a reputation for celebrity customers and some of his own 'house rules', was given three separate fines of £500 for failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free area, along with fines of £200 and £50 for not displaying the correct No Smoking sign, and smoking in a smoke-free area himself.

Council costs of £4,000 covering officer investigation time, and private prosecution were also awarded against him.

Mr Stonhill added: "Only a few days after the case, one of my very good customers came in and wrote me a cheque for £500, which is very nice.

"The whole thing is a bit of a laugh, when I think of it. The prosecution had lined up two or three people, who had come here to have dinner. I've got the receipts for their bill, and they've landed me with this.

"I've always said I am against the law, it's a waste of time. There are much more important things to do. There should be a choice. There's plenty of others out there who think the same. Some guy who has been out there digging a trench all day wants to have a pint and a smoke at the end of it. I can't see what's wrong with that."

The 2006 legislation requires that almost all enclosed public places and workplaces are to be kept smoke-free, and carry suitable advice signs. Failure to comply can lead to a fixed penalty notice, or prosecution.

Despite the law being in force for almost 21 months, Mr Stonhill was the first prosecution brought by local councils in Oxfordshire.

Bill Oddy, head of the district council's community services, said: "This investigation was carried out after a member of the public complained to the council.

"Our officers provided advice, and several attempts were made to persuade Mr Stonhill to comply with the law."

Mr Stonhill, who installed a helicopter pad at his pub-restaurant to cater for some of his more wealthy and famous customers, has attracted many comments on the web.

The Mason Arms was also recently reviewed by top chef Marco Pierre White. He wrote: "It's a proper place. They regard the smoking ban as heinous and don't have a website. Children and vegetarians aren't welcome, and nor are mobile phones or dogs. It's all very post-war in feeling and spirit."

He gave it a 20 out of 20 rating for Waitrose Food Illustrated magazine.

Adam Edwards, The Daily Telegraph pub correspondent, described The Mason Arms as 'a gin-and-jag club for the racing world, an alcoholic pit stop for the tanned rally driver and the classic car enthusiast."

He added: "Gerry Stonhill's Individual Mason Arms caters for those to whom 'a few quid' is a mere bagatelle. He serves the motor racing community by arranging for them to arrive by helicopter, and refusing to allow children, dogs, mobile phones, or vegetarians into his establishment. Meanwhile, he encourages heavy smoking and hard drinking, and acquires the rarest of wines for his discerning community. He regaled me with his current tale of 'a shunt in the Aston outside Chateau Laville Haut-Brion' to acquire 'the last couple of cases of the '79' for his special customers."