A MARCH pub that served a drunken man who was later found in the river has agreed to tighter licensing controls.

Fenland District Council Licensing Committee announced six new conditions to the Red Lion “following mediation between the police and the brewery and which have been approved by the current licence holder.”

The pub has agreed to ensure the landlord or approved deputy is on duty Fridays and Saturdays from 10pm until closing time.

New CCTV will be introduced- and footage retained for 31 days- and the pub has agreed to train staff to use it.

Staff will also be trained to use the Challenge 25 protocol in relation to drunken customers and to keep a list of those refused entry to the pub. The landlord or deputy has also agreed to attend Pubwatch meetings.

A report to Monday’s committee said a variety of incidents had shown a lack of control or management of the premises by landlord Thomas McNamara.

However councillors heard that Mr McNamara had suffered a stroke last autumn and in February had told police he had been unable to do much work in the pub because of his illness.

Police reported “intelligence around drug supply linked to this pub” and said there was evidence that a 15-year-old bought a whisky and coke.

The committee heard of a police visit in January which showed there were no training records or refusal systems in place by the designated premises supervisor to minimise offences and protect clients.

An inquest into the death of 39-year-old March man Simon Peters recorded a verdict of accidental death, after the coroner heard how he finished drinking in the Red Lion after a pub crawl around the town on December 16 last year.

The licensing committee recommended that McNamara should be replaced as the designated premises supervisor within 28 days.