Licensing Prosecution

A Margate man has been fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of £200,
after being found guilty of allowing an unaccompanied child to be on
licensed premises.

The case follows a visit made by police, licensing officers from Thanet
District Council and Trading Standards Officers from Kent County Council
to the Westcoast bar in King Street, Margate in April 2011. They visited
on a night that been advertised as an under 18s event.

When they entered, they found the bar was open, with alcohol being
served. Police officers took details from some of the customers, which
showed that a number were under the age of 16. It is illegal for an
accompanied child under 16 to be on premises licensed for use
exclusively or primarily for the supply of alcohol.

Adrian Handley (31) from Westbrook Gardens, Margate was interviewed
under caution at Margate police station in May 2011. He confirmed that
he was responsible for promoting and running the event and employed the
door staff. He also confirmed that he had arranged for flyers to be
distributed outside a school in Broadstairs.

Mr. Handley agreed that the bars were open and alcohol was being sold
and accepted that a number of those present were under 16 years old. He
was reported for the offence of allowing unaccompanied children on
licensed premises.

The case was heard by magistrates in Canterbury, who found Mr. Handley
guilty in his absence. He was fined £500 and ordered to pay costs of
£200.