Goole shop owner loses licence to sell alcohol

A Goole shop owner must stop selling alcohol with immediate effect after magistrates dismissed his appeal against the revocation of his licences

In May, Sanjay Damree, of Woodland Avenue, Goole and the owner of Woodland News and Carlisle News and Booze, both in Goole, had his premise licences revoked by East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s licensing committee.

The committee found Damree had seriously undermined the licensing objectives of protecting children from harm and the prevention of crime and disorder after evidence showed he had employed 14 and 15-year-olds to work unsupervised on licensed premises while selling age-restricted items including alcohol, cigarettes and lottery tickets.

It was also found that the youngsters did not have work permits allowing them to work in the shops and they were found to be working seven to 10 hour days.

Damree appealed the decision of the licensing committee and appeared at Beverley Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 27 September.

At the hearing, Damree did not produce any evidence to contradict the original decision and admitted to employing children as they were cheaper, that he left them in the shop unattended and that they had worked seven to 10 hour days.

He did tell the court that he was not aware he needed permits to employ them but magistrates found that sales of age-restricted products had taken place while they were working.

The magistrates dismissed the appeals and stated that, on the evidence they heard, they “wholeheartedly” agreed the decision made by the licensing committee was not wrong which means Damree has to stop selling alcohol at the two premises with immediate effect.

Louise Attwood, interim licensing manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “It is pleasing that the decision of the licensing committee to revoke the licences has been upheld by the magistrates’ court.

“The committee takes their role in promoting the licensing objectives, particularly the protection of children from harm, very seriously and do not seek to revoke a premises licence lightly. Robust action will be taken against those who flout licensing laws.”