A high street pub landlord who narrowly escaped being shutdown “allowed drugs to be sold on his premises”, a licensing chief claimed.

Cllr Michael Lyons took aim at Mihir Patel, landlord of the Swan Hotel in Hythe High Street, during Folkestone and Hythe District Council’s licensing sub-committee hearing.

Kent Police brought Mr Patel’s license under review amid allegations surrounding drugs, violence and under-age drinking.

Cllr Lyons said: “You have abused the system. You and your staff have accepted money knowing they were under-age.

“You have known about drug-taking going on in there and the sale of drugs in the premises and you have done nothing.

“A lot of locals do not frequent your hostelry because they feel threatened. Your clientele leave something to be desired.”

The comments came as Mr Patel narrowly escaped losing his license at the meeting on Tuesday.

Having been the licensee for two years, he faced stinging accusations surrounding under-age drinking, violence, loud music and opening beyond licensing hours.

Giving evidence was PC Chris Stephens, who has patrolled the pub for five years, and council licensing officer Lisa Farrell.

PC Stephens said the Swan was largely known for being “the rough pub in Hythe”.

Giving evidence he told of an attack where one victim was kicked to the ground and stamped on.

When officers attended the pub the attacker was still at the venue.

However Swan staff told officers they couldn’t supply CCTV evidence because they were untrained to do so.

Similarly when a 17-year-old girl was set upon by two women a month before staff were unable to provide CCTV footage.

PC Stephens added the female toilets had been locked due to previous reports of patrons using them to take drugs.

He added that a colleague "believed that 80% of customers were under age and were all intoxicated".

Licensing officer Ms Farrell highlighted residents’ complaints and said she felt “vulnerable” when she attended.

She said: "There were mainly men in the bar area, all very loud and shouting on each visit that I made.

"I myself, on the last visit felt very vulnerable as they were intoxicated shouting out ‘who is that’ to the bar girl and ‘was she alright’.

“On our annual premise licence compliance inspections in Hythe so many business owners/managers in the high street complained or mentioned the bad running and management of The Swan.

"The loudness and drunkenness of all who drink in that premise. They also commented that it only attracts the same faces continuously as it’s not an establishment that families would wish to visit.”

Cllr Russell Tillson, committee chairman, said problems had to be remedied quickly while police and the council closely monitor the situation.

He mapped out a comprehensive list of rules Mr Patel must follow, including having registered door staff from 6pm every day.

An incident log and refusal book must be kept on the premises.

And staff must be trained on how to use the CCTV while employing a Challenge 25 policy.

Closing hours will need to be strictly adhered to running from 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and 11pm Sundays.

Mr Patel said: “If anyone has had too many drinks we will not serve them anymore.

“CCTV will be on at all times, video will be available for one month and police will have access to these images.

“You will not have a chance to receive a complaint.”