A Ferryhill pub’s licence has been suspended over underage drinking concerns, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Durham County Council took action against The White Horse, Ferryhill, after a request by Durham Constabulary.
The police force said CCTV footage showed a group of underage males drinking inside the Market Street pub from 5pm until closing time without being challenged for ID by staff members.
A licensing hearing was held after the incident on Saturday (March 16) and voted to also remove the designated premises supervisor pending a full review hearing.
Sergeant Caroline Dickenson, from Durham Constabulary, said: “They are seen to buy numerous drinks from the bar and consume them within the premises.
“At no point are they challenged by any members of staff. Whilst viewing the footage it was also identified that there were a number of people on pub watch bans within the premises.”
Five teenagers were arrested after a 25-year-old man was stabbed outside the Greyhound pub on Market Street in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Stuart Cowell, 18, of Langdale Place, Newton Aycliffe, along with four boys aged 17, 17, 16 and 14 – who can’t be named for legal reasons – are charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
They appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday where no pleas were entered and Cowell and three of the defendants were granted conditional bail until the next hearing. A 17-year-old was remanded in a youth detention centre.
A plea and trial preparation hearing has been listed for April 15 at Durham Crown Court.
A report presented to the licensing hearing added: “Due to the seriousness of the incident reported at the weekend and the contributory factors around the management at the premises, there is a significant risk to public safety and the application for the review of a premises licence under section 53A of the licencing Act 2003 is justified as we will be asking for an immediate suspension of the premises licence.”
The White Horse was contacted for comment.
A Durham County Council spokesperson added: “The committee decided to remove the designated premises supervisor and suspend the premises licence pending the full review hearing which must be heard by April 15.”
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
Ferryhill & Chilton's local community newspaper.
