Bar licence is revoked after ‘drinks served while stabbed man lay injured’

A BAR continued to serve drinks over a slumped, bleeding man who had been stabbed, it was claimed at a licensing hearing.

Sandwell councillors revoked the licence of Seven Bar, in Lower High Street, Wednesbury, after a four-hour discussion.

Police told them up to 28 incidents of violent disorder took place around or associated with the premises and its customers over the last year.

On May 13, a man was stabbed in the lower back and required surgery.

Andrew Evans, representing West Midlands Police, said: “This premises has over the last year or so been operated in such a way as to seriously and consistently undermine the licensing objectives.

“The police are extremely concerned. If it’s allowed to reopen on any terms, similar problems will reoccur and people will get hurt or worse.

“When you first read the papers before you it might at first glance have been difficult for you to believe the drinks were served across the same bar where the bleeding man was slumped, or the people were allowed in and out of the venue after the stabbing, or the CCTV in premises was not working as it should. It appears to the police to be that the premises’ licence holder is either unwilling or unable to do all that could reasonably be expected of him to manage the pressures that this premises faces.”

Sandwell licensing committee was told Harjinder Singh Bagri has held the licence since July 2009, while Mr Anuj Panwar was designated premises supervisor (DPS).

Duncan Craig, representing Mr Bagri, explained while he found the way Mr Panwar had operated on the night of the stabbing was “wholly unacceptable,” he believed Mr Bagri was adhering to standard practice in the hospitality industry.

He argued the licence should be suspended, but only until a new tenant could take hold of the property and added: “During the incident, the lights should have gone on.

“However, I do feel the need to defend the staff. The staff went behind the bar to help him. The police say it was ‘sheer luck’ the man did not die on the night. I don’t agree with that. I think the staff saved his life, and members of the public.”

Cllr Peter Allen, licensing committee chair, said: “The upholding of the licensing objectives are paramount and in this instance the view of the licensing sub-committee is that this can only be served by revoking the premises’ licence and not by replacing the DPS and adding conditions to the licence.”

The council decision may be subject to an appeal.