A Hitchin bar owner has been ordered to pay nearly £3,000 for staying open too late.

Kenneth Campbell, owner of Churchgate-based Rocabessa bar and grill, pleaded guilty to three charges of staying open past his licence hours in August and September 2014.

Stevenage magistrates ordered the 60-year-old, of Bradleys Corner, to pay a total of £2,811.67 on July 3 after the breaches resulted in noise disturbance to residents and a number of complaints to North Herts District Council.

The council, which brought the prosecution under the Licensing Act 2003, has also requested a review of Rocabessa’s bar licence.

Councillor Bernard Lovewell said: “We hope this prosecution shows how seriously the council takes breaches of this kind. It is the responsibility of the licensee to make sure they adhere to the rules, and there is no excuse for breaking the law.”