A HAMPSHIRE publican who attacked her love rival in the street after driving her car at her has been allowed to remain in the licensing trade.

Jacqueline Barclay used to run the Red Lion in Totton, which was destroyed by fire five weeks after it was closed down following a spate of alcohol-fuelled violence.

Barclay assaulted Victoria Crumpler after discovering she was having an affair with her husband, New Forest magistrates were told.

Rachel Lile, prosecuting, said Barclay leapt out of her car and grabbed hold of Ms Crumpler’s hair before pulling her to the ground.

At a previous hearing the court heard that Barclay had driven her car at Ms Crumpler, stopping just short of her. She got out “ranting and raving” and grabbed hold of her victim, leaving her “very scared”

before relenting.

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The case was adjourned until yesterday for pre-sentence reports.

Barclay, previously known as Jacqueline Clapp, admitted assault.

She was handed a 12-month supervision order and told to pay £85 costs, plus £100 compensation to her victim.

The court had the power to withdraw or suspend her personal licence, which would have prevented her from running another pub.

But the magistrates decided to take no action, saying the assault had not taken place on licensed premises.

Barclay, 45, of Testbourne Close, Totton, was outside the Tesco Express store in Calmore when she spotted Ms Crumpler on July 13.

Peter Bush, in mitigation, said it was an impulsive act committed after the defendant found images of Ms Crumpler on her husband’s mobile phone.

Confirming that the couple were now getting divorced, he added: “You can imagine the hurt that accompanied the discovery that brought the relationship to an end.”

Mr Bush said Barclay had been in the licensing trade since she was 17 and added: “She has a clean licence but for this conviction.”

On July 23 the Red Lion was closed down by police to prevent a farewell bash just days before the pub was due to be shut for good by Enterprise Inns.

They swooped after Barclay invited 1,000 customers through online to “drink the pub dry”.

Officers said there had already concerns about the level of crime and disorder at the pub, including drunken assaults, violence, and children on the premises.

Barclay was subsequently accused of breaching the closure order by supplying alcohol at the pub on July 25. She has entered a not guilty plea, describing the event as a private farewell party, and is due to stand trial in January next year.

The Red Lion was destroyed by fire on August 30. Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze.