Pub cops intoxication fine

By James Atkinson
 
The NSW Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (OLGR) has urged licensed venues to be vigilant after a hotel licensee was convicted and fined $2,700 for permitting intoxication on licensed premises.

Specialised Holdings, operator of the Post Office Hotel in Grafton, was fined $2,700 plus $81 court costs after last week pleading guilty to permitting intoxication following last year's Grafton Cup races.

Grafton Local Court heard that at about 10pm on the night of the Grafton Cup on July 14 last year, police and compliance officers witnessed a patron at the pub who displayed clear signs of intoxication.

The man was seen swaying and bumping into people before falling from a deck area where he was assisted to his feet by security but was not removed from the hotel.

The man continued to sway and stagger and fell again before being assisted by an OLGR officer. He was subsequently removed from the premises after officers identified themselves to hotel management.

OLGR director of compliance Paul Newson said OLGR and Police will again be active at this year's Grafton Cup race week, which runs during July.

"While most licensees do the right thing during Grafton Cup week, this conviction should be a warning that licensed premises need to abide by responsible service of alcohol requirements," he said.

"All hotel bar and security staff must to be trained in responsible service of alcohol and actively monitor patron behaviour for signs of intoxication. Licensees and their staff must follow responsible service of alcohol rules or face prosecution."