A SEAFRONT pub’s licence is under threat after its manager was caught using threatening behaviour on the premises.

Nicola Tiney pleaded guilty to committing a public order offence at the Borough Hotel, in Marine Parade, Southend, when she appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court.

The 33-year-old, who lives at the pub, was originally charged with assaulting the man, but the charge was dropped and she admitted the lesser offence.

Magistrates imposed a year-long conditional discharge and ordered Tiney to pay £95 costs, after the incident on March 18.

The pub’s licence is now under threat, after Essex Police launched a review into its operations.

Sgt Danny Barnes, of the police licensing unit, said: “She’s not the designated premises supervisor, but she is the manageress. This was a very serious incident, we decided to call a review because we believe the premises isn’t promoting the licensing objectives.”

Police revealed there were other matters to take into consideration, but refused to say what they were.

He said police were in negotiations with the pub to see if they could find a way forward.

Police have been getting tough on all pubs in the area and carried out a big undercover test purchase operation last September.

This led to Michael Tall, 57, a manager at nearby Papillon pub, pleading guilty to selling alcopops to two underage girls.

The pub underwent a licensing review, which resulted in the pub’s staff being ordered to carry out extra training.

Tall, 57, of Sutton Road, Southend, was also ordered to pay a £167 fine, £605 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He will have a three-month licence suspension, but the pub will remain open with a different licencee. Sgt Danny Barnes said the force’s action showed that, despite the massive shake-up of Essex Police in March, the licensing department was still in business. He said: “We want to prove that since the reform we can still operate as a fully functional licensing unit.

“It's just coming up to the summer period and I think everybody needs to know that we are about and will deal with any offences that we see fit.

“There are lots of responsible retailers out there and it’s only the minority that we have to deal with.”

The Echo called the Borough Hotel, but a spokesman declined to comment.