A RESTAURANT owner has been fined �3,750 for operating an illegal shisha bar in a closed-in marquee at his eatery.

Shabul Islam, who owns The Canopy, in Three Colt Street, Limehouse, was prosecuted after council officers found customers were smoking in an enclosed area in the garden.

Officers gave evidence that up to 25 people were using the Middle Eastern pipes in the marquee.

Since the smoking ban came into force in July 2007, it has been illegal to smoke sisha pipes in covered spaces.

Mr Islam pleaded not guilty during the trial at Thames Magistrate Court, claiming Tower Hamlets Council had not given him advice on changes to the law.

His premises were previously looked into for a similar situation.

Mr Islam said he had not received letters sent to him about the incident.

Hr was ordered to pay �500 a month, during the verdict on November 4.

Email smokefree@towerhmalets.gov.uk for information on the ban.