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Protest to release Chorley smoking rebel
Hundreds of activists have joined protest for the release of Chorley landlord Nick Hogan.
The 43-year-old publican, whose family runs the Swan With Two Necks in Hollinshead Street, was sentenced to six months for non-payment of fines on February 26.
It relates to penalties he received for flouting the 2007 smoking ban at one of his previous pubs in Bolton.
Now, hundreds of people have joined an online support group for Hogan,who is UKIP national spokesman for licensing and night-time economy.
The group is planning to protest outside Forest Bank prisonwhereHogan is serving his sentence atmidday on Saturday, March 13.
Phil Johnson,who set up the group 'Justice For Nick Hogan' on Facebook, has posted a letter online to PM Gordon Brown, saying: "Nick Hogan hasmerely stood up for his rights as a businessman and the dignity and rights of his fellow man by allowing them to smoke in his pub. (The) system has now created a criminal, who now has a prison record for doingwhat any sane and sensible businessman would do - look after his customers."
Hamish Howitt, landlord of theHappy ScotsBar in Blackpool,was another high-profile publican fined for flouting the smoking ban when it was first introduced in 2007.
He managed to overturn his fines on appeal – something Hogan tried and failed to do.
He said: "It is a travesty of justice. He hasn't hurt anyone, stolen anything or made any gain.
"He has simply let someone smoke a cigarette."
Hogan was jailed after a hearing at Bolton Magistrates Court.
The sentence stemmed fromnon-payment of fines he received for breaching the smoking ban in 2008.
He was initially fined 3,000 and ordered to pay 7,136 in costs, but appealed the conviction and lost so an extra 1,000 was added to the costs.
He repeatedly failed to pay fines and has been brought before the courts on at least 12 occasions, according to an official at Bolton Magistrates' Court.
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Weather for Chorley
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
