The joint-manager of a Winchester bar has hit back over claims that his venue is responsible for drink-related crime.

Jonathan Turpin, who runs the Moloko Bar with David Heath, made the comments after police advised Winchester City Council not to renew the bar's late licence. It can open until midnight or into the early hours every night except Sunday.

Police criticised the venue, in The Square, saying that last year 73 crimes, ranging from brawls to vandalism, were linked to it. Officers have also charged Mr Turpin and Mr Heath with six counts of selling alcohol to under-18s, with a trial due in September.

The council's licensing committee met last week to consider an application by the men to renew and transfer the late licence to Mr Heath's wife, Gillian.

They also asked permission to extend the bar's capacity from 250 people to 330. But the council deferred the application until the autumn, owing to the pending court case.

After the meeting, Mr Turpin said the capacity needed to be extended because the bar was so popular.

The council had received a report from The Big Security Company, which provides some door staff at the venue, in which it suggested that 323 people were found in the bar on one night in March, breaching the limit.

The council report suggested that the owners of the bar overruled door staff who turned customers away.

But company co-director, Sean McCarthy, has since withdrawn the claim, citing a technical breakdown. "As it transpired, the tally counters that were being used were defective. They were replaced a couple of days later."

He added that the bar was within its capacity on the night and during other subsequent checks. Mr Turpin has also responded to complaints by police and residents of unruly behaviour by some customers leaving the bar.

"I am sorry that residents are being disturbed, but no licensee has any control over the actions of customers after they leave. In any event, I do not accept that all local difficulty can be placed at the door of my premises."

Mr Turpin added that his bar was not the only one in Winchester to have a late licence. "We are the only bar to actually increase prices after 11pm to discourage excessive drinking and encourage dancing. It is a nonsense to say we have a later licence primarily for drinking," he added.