PROBLEM PUB IS FORCED TO CLOSE
LICENCE REVOKED AFTER BRUTAL ATTACKS WEREN’T REPORTED TO POLICE
A problem pub in Sunderland has been forced to close as its premises’ licence is revoked - after the owner and staff failed to report a number of vicious attacks.
A number of brutal attacks which left members of the public hospitalised were never reported by the owner or staff at The B Bar, known locally as The Buffs.
CCTV footage was also removed following an assault which lead to a man being knocked unconscious and suffered a bleed on the brain outside the pub.
Over the last 12 months, the Southwick bar has breached its licence conditions on several occasions and seen instances of serious violence committed on the premises.
With a lack of cooperation offered by the owner and staff, police have taken action and requested that the committee revoke the premises’ licence with immediate effect.
On Wednesday, May 15, following an appeal hearing initiated by owner Ernest King, 56, the committee issued a full revocation of the premises’ licence.
The committee heard police received a report of a serious assault at the premises in the early hours of September 16 last year, with a man hospitalised after being knocked unconscious and suffering a bleed on the brain.
Police were not contacted by the licensees or staff about the incident and later found the injured man lying unconscious at the other side of the road.
Efforts to recover CCTV footage from the premises as part of the investigation were significantly undermined, with the specified clip having been removed and never found.
Then on October 5 last year, a violent offender brutally assaulted a couple inside the pub and left one with a brain haemorrhage – which was again not reported to police.
The vicious attack left the man hospitalised with head injuries and a broken nose, while his female partner suffered two black eyes, a bloodied nose and a sore back.
The licensee’s son Ricki King, 34, admitted charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm and causing grievous bodily harm with intent during a Newcastle Crown Court hearing in February, and was jailed for nine years.
Inspector Don Wade, of Northumbria Police, welcomed the decision and says officers were left with “no option” but to apply for its revocation.
“We work hand-in-hand with licensed premises to ensure they offer a safe environment for the public, abide by the law and uphold their licensing conditions,” Insp Wade said.
“However, the owner and members of staff at The Buffs have clearly fallen short of this requirement, and have shown little desire to cooperate with police at any stage.
“There have been a number of instances of serious violence committed on the premises, as well as several breaches of its licence conditions.
“As a result, we were left with no option but to make an application to revoke the licence.”
Chief Inspector Nicola Wearing, lead for licensing in Southern Area Command, believes the outcome sends out an important message to other licensees across the city.
“We will not tolerate premises which are not run in accordance with our licensing objectives; the prevention of crime, protection of children from harm and promotion of public safety,” Ch Insp Wearing said.
Following the committee’s ruling last week, the premises will now remain closed indefinitely.
Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council and Chair of the Safer Sunderland Partnership, Councillor Michael Mordey, said: “The council’s licensing sub-committee revoked The Buffs’ licence in December 2018 following three very serious assaults and the committee had heard that CCTV records had been sabotagedforthefirstassault.
“The licensee’s son, Ricki King, was convicted of two serious assaults in the premises and these were captured on CCTV.
“The committee had included in their decision to revoke the licence their belief that nothing went on in the premises without the knowledge of the owner, Mr Ernie King.
“An attempt to get a new licence for the same premises but under different names was also rejected by this council committee in February this year.
“An appeal against the decision about The Buffs’ licence was lodged with the courts by Mr King. This appeal was withdrawn on the day it was due to be heard at Sunderland Magistrates’ Court.
“The Licensing Act clearly sets down four objectives; The prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance and the protection of children from harm.
“With these objectives and the criminal activities on these premises, the council and Northumbria Police have always been in full agreement that the premises had to be closed.”