Richard Carr, who runs Half Butt Inn, in Great Horkesley 'told audience to sing along'

Richard Carr runs the Half Butt Inn, in Nayland Road, Great Horkesley.

The pub was issued with a noise abatement notice after Colchester Council licensing officers visited having received more than 15 complaints from neighbours while an August Bank Holiday event was in full swing.

During that visit, documents which will be used in a review into Mr Carr’s licence state when he was asked to stop the music at about 9.30pm on August 26, he became “argumentative” and threatened to run the event for an extra hour over what was planned.

He is also said to have announced to the crowd noise complaints had been made and took over singing on a microphone and encouraged the audience to sing along.

The report states: “On the 26th August 2017 complaints were received from mid-afternoon onwards concerning music outside and in a marquee.

“Multiple properties complained - believed to be in excess of 15 complaints but the helpline stopped logging calls once officers agreed to visit.

“Officers attended in the evening at approximately 9.30pm and confirmed that the noise, which could be heard some distance away, was considered excessive.”

It adds: “Mr Carr was spoken to and advised by officers of the complaints.

"Mr Carr was described by the officers as argumentative and he suggested that as complaints had been received he would now finish the event at midnight rather than at 11pm which had been initially planned.

“He was also heard to announce to the audience that noise complaints had been received and took over the singing on the microphone, encouraging the audience to sing along.”

The documents state a number of complaints had been made earlier in the year about music being played in a marquee in the pub’s beer garden.

A letter was sent to Mr Carr on May 25, stating if complaints continued to be made to the council, officers would attend the pub.

The report adds: “Mr Carr did not respond well to this initial letter and he advised he would take action against the officer if further letters were received.”

Mr Carr has previous stated he feels victimised by both his neighbours and Colchester Council.

Since the council launched the licence review last month, Mr Carr has announced he plans to close the pub in February.

The authority’s licensing sub-committee will carry out a review of Mr Carr’s licence next Friday, October 20.

Members can choose to alter Mr Carr’s licence, exclude an activity from his licence, remove his as the premises’ designated supervisor, suspend the licence or revoke it.