Staff at Saracen's Head in Cerrigdrudion have been caught flouting licensing rules
A pub where boozing children were left “seriously injured” after getting into fights will be shut down.
Staff at the Saracen’s Head Hotel on Corwen Road in Cerrigydrudion sold alcohol to underage drinkers and failed to control them when things got out of hand.
Police said customers were also put “at serious risk” of falling or wandering into the A5.
Conwy Council ’s licensing sub-committee agreed to revoke the pub’s licence last week, after police submitted their second review application in six months.
In a report put to the committee, Inspector Gareth Jones from North Wales Police , refers to an “incident of large scale disorder” during a party last April where children had allegedly been allowed to get drunk on the premises.
He says they ended up fighting in the A5 and a 16-year-old boy suffered a head injury after being assaulted.
As a result, extra conditions were added to the premises licence when the matter was brought before the committee in July.
But on the day of the Cerrig Show on September 3, police were called to reports of customers fighting. Crowds dispersed when officers arrived.
Further investigations revealed that two 17-year-old boys, who had allegedly been drinking, had reportedly suffered fractured jaws after being attacked.
The pub’s inability to provide CCTV footage of the alleged incident was another breach of the new licensing conditions.
Tracey Speakman, designated premises supervisor, at the pub told police she didn’t challenge the youngsters because she thought door staff had been checking ID.
Other CCTV footage that showed children on the premises after 9pm on several occasions were family members and friends, according to Ms Speakman, but that sparked another breach.
In total, 18 breaches were listed during one visit by police, as well as an incident during which a number of young customers were seen to “wander behind the bar” to view the CCTV system, thereby flouting Data Protection rules.
Alcohol was also found to be sold outside trading times with punters seen hiding drinks as police arrive.
Insp Jones’ report says: “North Wales Police have serious concerns with regards the management and control of the premises.
“Despite the premises licence being reviewed in July 2016, the premises have failed to implement conditions included on the premises licence as a result of the review hearing.
“The DPS, Ms Speakman has failed to provide an accurate account of the events on September 3.
“All three premises licence holders (including Ms Speakman, and premises licence holders, Rita and Darren Wilkes) have failed to challenge children on the premises, two 17-year-old boys have suffered serious assault at the premises.”
The report adds: “North Wales Police wish to highlight that this is the second review application withing six months which highlights concerns regarding children buying and drinking alcohol unchallenged...children fighting and being seriously injured, staff and management failing to control customers and customers falling and wandering in the A5 putting them at serious risk of being struck by a vehicle.”
The licensees have the right to appeal within 21 days but when the Daily Post contacted the pub yesterday, they confirmed they will not be appealing, nor did they wish to make any further comment.
If no appeal is sought, the revocation will come into effect on February 7.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/last-orders-conwy-pub-caught-12482117
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