Agenda and draft minutes

The Evacuation Procedure was noted.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Statutory Licensing Sub Committee held on 7 November 2022 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

Members of the Licensing Sub Committee of the Council’s Statutory Licensing Committee were asked to consider an application for a review of a premise licence for Premier mini market- 75-81 Oxbridge Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, 4AR.

Members noted that the review of the premises licence was made at the request of the Council’s licensing department.

The Chair introduced all persons who were present and explained the procedure to be followed during the hearing.

A copy of the report and supporting documents had been provided to all persons present and to Members of the Committee.

The applicant Mrs Maloney-Kelly Licensing Team Leader presented her application on behalf of the Licensing Authority, a responsible authority under the Licensing Act 2003.

The Sub-Committee heard that Mr Shaun Kayser Shafiq was both the premise licence holder and the designated premises supervisor for the premises and had been solely responsible for the management and day to day operations at the store since 1st September 2006.

The Sub-Committee were told that concerns related to poor management at the premises resulting in potential criminal offences of unlicensed activity, namely the supply of alcohol at a time when the premise licence did not permit.

The applicant explained to the Sub-Committee that on the 17 February 2023, Mr Shaun Shafiq supplied a bottle of vodka to a male at 6:06 am, who sadly collapsed and died in the street shortly after leaving the premises. The Sub-Committee heard that the supply of alcohol as a licensable activity was not permitted at the premises until 08:00 am.

The Sub-Committee noted that information in relation to this matter was received by the Licensing Authority as part of a review into the alcohol related sudden death. The Sub-Committee heard that the Licensing Authority were concerned that the licensing objectives, specifically the Prevention of Crime and Disorder & Public Safety had been undermined by Mr Shaun Shafiq’s actions on 17 February 2023, and throughout the subsequent Licensing Authority investigation.

The Sub-Committee were told that when Mr Shaun Shafiq was interviewed by licensing officers regarding this matter, he denied the sale; his inability to recognise the seriousness of his actions raised concerns for the Licensing Authority due to his lack of understanding that the impact that alcohol had on vulnerable people.

The Sub-Committee heard that Mr Shaun Shafiq confirmed during his interview with licensing officers that he was aware that this male was an alcoholic.

The Licensing Team Leader explained to the Sub-Committee that Mr Shaun Shafiq had obstructed licensing officers in their investigation by not disclosing there were two CCTV systems at the premises and by not providing till receipts when requested.

The Sub-Committee heard that immediately after his interview, Mr Shaun Shafiq, displaying no concern or remorse for the situation, asked officers how he could increase the alcohol supply hours at the premises to 06:00, displaying a total disregard for the investigation and the seriousness of the matter.

The Sub-Committee heard that there were also concerns in relation to the premises’ CCTV system, as the licence  ...  view the full minutes text for item SLS/4/23