Police complaints fail to strip pub of licence

Allegations of underage drinking and violence at private functions

A pub has hung on to its licence despite Police Scotland alleging “numerous” breaches of regulations.

Chief Constable Philip Gormley submitted a 16-month dossier of incidents at the Plough in Forfar to Angus Council, following concerns over violence and underage drinking.

However, a special meeting of the Angus licensing board found there were “no grounds” to review the Plough Inn’s licence.

The bar closed on April 8 with a sale and transfer of lease expected imminently.

Mr Gormley submitted a report of 21 visits to the Market Street pub, the most recent of which saw a “highly intoxicated” 15-year-old girl being found in “pyjama” bottoms at a party with her top open and bra strap undone.

Licence holder Ian Whyte admitted there were natural difficulties monitoring consumption away from the pub but took issue with police assertions the 15-year-old had been inside for longer than five minutes before she was intercepted by staff.

He insisted ID checks were always carried out by qualified door staff and the girl had been “dropped off” after drinking two bottles of prosecco elsewhere.

Other incidents highlighted in the report included a man being left with a fractured eye socket following an assault at a private function.

Officers described a “chaotic” scene at a fundraiser for a teenager to visit Malawi with the Project Trust, which was “gatecrashed from all over Angus” by a large number of people, many of whom were underage, entering through a fire exit.

Two under-18s discos for pupils of Forfar Academy and Webster’s High School in Kirriemuir resulted in noise complaints and allegations of underage drinking.

However, a Police Scotland representative said there was no evidence of alcohol being sold to underage drinkers, who had instead been “stashing” bottles outside the discos.

Mr Gormley’s letter to the board stated: “It is the opinion of Police Scotland that given the numerous incidents recorded at the premises that Mr Whyte is unable to manage the premises effectively.”

Council leader Iain Gaul asked the police representative: “Have there been any incidents where staff have been shown to sell alcohol to underage persons?”

Sergeant Gordon Peebles said: “I can confirm we haven’t had any.”

Committee convener Craig Fotheringham said there was no reason for the board to review the premises licence or take further action against Mr Whyte.

It is the opinion of Police Scotland that given the numerous incidents... Mr Whyte is unable to manage it effectively.

CHIEF CONSTABLE PHIL GORMLEY

Police had raised many concerns about various incidents at the Plough Inn in Forfar but Angus Council refused to revoke its licence.