A pub landlady who defied a police closure order has been allowed to remain in the licensing trade.

Publican Jacqueline Barclay, from the Red Lion pub, advertised a farewell party on the Internet to “drink the pub dry” before it closed down four days later.

Firefighters tackle a blaze at The Red Lion pub in Totton in August 2010

When police turned up to the party more than 30 people were there and alcohol was being supplied despite the ban, Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard.

Police issued the order in a bid to thwart the bash at the pub, which has been dogged by trouble in the past, amid fears of public disorder.

Marie Fittall, prosecuting, said when officers turned up to the pub on Sunday, July 25 at about 7pm they allowed it to stay open as long as everybody moved inside and left after 11pm.

Barclay fully co-operated, everyone left on time and there was no trouble, she said. However, the police pressed charges later, the court heard.

The 45-year-old, of Testbourne Close, Totton, pleaded guilty to breaching the closure order at the pub on July 25.

The court had the power to withdraw or suspend her personal licence, which would have prevented Barclay, who had been a licensee for 17 years, running another pub.

But she was given a conditional discharge for one year.

Richard Harris, mitigating, said Enterprise Inns had decided to close the pub after Barclay split from her husband, who also ran the pub.

He said: “It was decided to have a party with her family and the people who had worked there. No drinks had been sold.”