Legislation on appealing the loss of a premises licence is again under the spotlight after a criminal shopowner abused the system to his financial advantage.
Karwan Ahmad withdrew an appeal against the revocation of his licence for Baltic in Winsover Road, Spalding, less than 24 hours before it was due to be heard in court.
But he had succeeded in engineering himself a further six months’ trading in alcohol after South Holland District Council’s decision back in February.
Baltic has been raided in multi-agency operations four times since last November. Each time illegal activity was uncovered, including the sale of cigarettes linked to fatal house fires. On one occasion they were concealed in an “elaborate” false wall.
And it has also emerged that a recent raid at Ahmad’s neighbouring shop, Winsover, turned up a further 5,000 illegal cigarettes.
Ahmad has also appealed a decision to revoke his premises licence for that property. Police believe he will withdraw that appeal at the 11th hour too.
Sgt Kim Enderby, of Lincolnshire Police’s alcohol licensing team, admits to frustration at legislation which enables someone involved in criminality during the appeal process period to continue trading.
He said: “We’ve had four seizures of illegal cigarettes there since November.
“The frustration still applies because of the amount of criminality. Had the revocation taken place immediately (in February), it would have been a clear deterrent to the premises and others thinking of doing anything similar.
“We knew all along that it wasn’t going to come to appeal. What could they say?
“From my point of view, as the sergeant leading the alcohol licensing team, we have removed the alcohol licence now. We have worked within all the legislation.
“However, those premises can still operate as a grocery store. I have concerns because of what we have seen so far that they will continue with the illegal sale of alcohol – and that is where we need the public’s help in reporting that to us.
“They have shown no inclination or ability to change their ways.”
Sgt Enderby is pleased with the final outcome of Ahmad losing his premises licence for Baltic but it has come “far too late”. He pledged to continue pressing for a change in the system.
“We’re still making noises, we’re still talking to the council and the local MP,” he said. “We’re looking to take this further and we’re hoping to get other MPs on board to see about changing legislation.”
The revocation of Ahmad’s Baltic licence came into effect on August 11. His appeal over Winsover is due to be heard at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on August 17.
He will have to settle the council’s legal costs for the Baltic case, which are still being calculated.
