Crossword Genius

Much of his life is spent behind bars (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

tapster

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'much of his life is spent behind bars' is the definition.
The answer is a person as well as being a singular noun. This is suggested by the definition.

This is the entire clue.

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(Other definitions for tapster that I've seen before include "Rat pest (anag.)" , "Bartender once" , "Old barperson" , "Bar employee" , "old barman" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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