Victoria Bar licence approved with warning to new boss

Angus licensing chiefs have put a marker down for a new Forfar pub landlady.

Tracey Telfer appeared before the area’s licensing board in Forfar’s Town and County Hall to request the transfer of the licence for the Victoria Bar in Dundee Loan.

But the board heard a representation from Police Scotland in respect of what councillors was told was an “out of character” assault conviction.

Representing Ms Telfer, solicitor Anne McKeown confirmed that her 36-year-old client had been convicted at Forfar Sheriff Court last month following a March incident at the home of a former boyfriend.

Police told the board the matter had involved Ms Telfer hitting a door and window with a garden ornament and then a car with a piece of a concrete slab.

Ms McKeown said her client was “embarrassed and ashamed” by the offence.

“The background is one of an unfortunate domestic matter involving her former partner and I think the board can be assured there will be no repetition of such behaviour.”

The agent said the Victoria Bar venture was a family concern for which a 10-year lease had been signed.

She told the board the sheriff had deferred sentence on Ms Telfer until November for her to be of good behaviour.

Board member David Fairweather said: “It is a relevant conviction but it is a first offence and it would seem there are deep regrets.”

Board convener Craig Fotheringham said: “I move we grant this with a warning.

“If Ms Telfer has to come back before this board on any other matters things might be different.”