The owner of pub which was caught watering down its drinks says he was out of the country at the time.
Edmund Smyth also said that there would not be a repeat of the matter at The Zetland Hotel in central Middlesbrough.
As reported earlier today, representatives of the pub were fined after it was caught watering down its vodka.
The Zetland, in Zetland Road , had been adding water to bottles of Chekov Vodka.
Enviromental health officers from Middlesbrough Council took samples of the drink on display.
And tests showed that eight bottles of Chekov Vodka were half filled with water resulting in 40-50% reduction in the amount of alcohol.
The tests were carried out following a complaint from a member of the public.
Tests also showed that a bottle of Jagermeister had been substituted with Messer Schmitt - a cheaper alternative.
Jagermeister has an alcohol strength of 35% while Messer Schmitt is 22%.
Appearing before Teesside Magistrates , pub owner Mr Smyth admitted selling alcoholic drinks that were not of the substance demanded and falsely describing the drinks contrary.
He told the Gazette after the case: “The pub was visited by the council in January 2014 while we were out of the country.
"We have run this pub for 29 years and have been visited by the council numerous times and have always have a good rapport with them.
"As owner, I accept responsibility for what has happened.
"We have dealt with this matter, and it will not happen again.”
Pub manager Dawn Chapman was also charged with the same offences.
The case against co-owner Maureen Smyth has been adjourned.
Edmund Smyth was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay £1,424 towards the council’s costs, plus a £20 victim surcharge.
Dawn Chapman was fined £400 and was ordered to pay £100 towards the council’s costs plus a £20 victim surcharge.
Her personal licence was also revoked by the court.
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