Belton pub landlord and punter in cannabis dispute

Martin Haynes was at his local, the Tavern in Belton, having a drink with some friends when he was asked to leave.

The 49-year-old said he was drinking with friends when the pub's owner "came over, sniffing".

"He was walking around, putting his nose in the air, sniffing the air around me. He said he could smell cannabis, but I didn't have anything on me."

Mr Haynes said he had been to the pub recently without any problems. 

The landlord of The Tavern in Belton said it is a 'family-friendly pub'. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

But Ahmat 'Andy' Yildiz, landlord and owner, said he had warned Mr Haynes a number of times before about smoking cannabis in the vicinity of the Tavern.

He said he runs a "family-friendly pub" and that he does not want the venue to smell like drugs.

According to the law, pubs are private businesses and publicans, like all property owners, have the right to determine who can come onto their premises.

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Martyn Haynes has created a garden with flowers and benches for the community on Sandy Lane in Belton. (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Mr Haynes lives in nearby Sandy Lane where he has created a garden with flowers and benches for the community. 

A woman who knows him said: "I personally think it's amazing, what he does with woodwork. He's made a bench, all hand made, for the local people, which we all love." 

Mr Haynes said that since the incident at the Tavern, where he used to play pool as a teenager, he now has to "walk a fair distance" if he wants to socialise.

Belton's other pub, the King's Head, is a 20 minute walk away.

"My friends go to the Tavern," Mr Haynes said. "I spend a lot of time on my own now."

Mr Yildiz said: "I've got nothing against him. I'm against the drugs."