A PUB boss has failed in his bid to have his shotgun licence reinstated amid ‘public safety’ concerns.

Preston Crown Court heard how police revoked the licence of Fence Gate boss Kevin Berkins following a number of complaints about the 71-year-old’s ‘threatening, aggressive and violent’ behaviour.

Berkins, of Skipton Road, Foulridge, had challenged the revocation claiming the allegations against him were malicious and mainly based on hearsay.

But sitting alongside two lay magistrates, the Honorary Recorder of Preston Judge Mark Brown said he would be ‘failing in his public duty’ if he reinstated the licence.

Police had launched an investigation into whether Berkins was a suitable holder of a shotgun certificate after concerns were raised by a registered firearms dealer in December about his increasingly aggressive demeanour.

PC Oliver Timperley told the court that Berkins had not been invited back to game shoots in Scotland and that on one occasion the appellant allegedly said about one organiser, ‘I’d rather shoot him than shake his hand’.

The court heard that in 2010, when Berkins was informed the CPS were taking no further action in a case of employees stealing from The Eagle at Barrow, he told police: “He would get his lads to go round and deal with these three.”

Giving his judgement Judge Brown said: “When PC Timperley was tasked to carry out further enquiries and compile a report he has spoken to several individuals who all presented as genuine and credible.

“They all report the appellant’s behaviour as being threatening, aggressive and violent. This shows a pattern of behaviour which displays his lack of control and intemperate habits.

“We thus conclude that the appellant is not a person who can be permitted to possess a shotgun without danger to the public safety or to the peace and this appeal is therefore dismissed.”

Berkins had had held a firearms licence without any issues for more than 50 years. It was accepted by the court that his weapons were stored correctly, kept unloaded and safely secured. He must now pay £2,055 prosecution costs.