Counil revoke licence to sell alcohol to man convicted of battery

A MAN with a personal licence to sell alcohol has had it revoked after being convicted of battery and not telling Carmarthenshire Council about it.

Richard Bunford did not attend the meeting in Carmarthen’s County Hall in which the facts were outlined by representatives of the council and Dyfed-Powys Police.

They told the council licensing sub-committee that Mr Bunford, 37, had been given a personal licence by the authority four years ago.

In March 2018 he was convicted at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court of battery – a relevant offence under the Licensing Act.

Mr Bunford – whose address at that point was Bryndedwyddfa, Penygroes – was given a suspended prison sentence, told to pay costs and compensation, and made the subject of a personal protection order.

The sub-committee was told he breached the order in October 2018, activating a prison sentence.

Emyr Jones, the council’s principal licensing officer, said Mr Bunford’s last known address was in Ffairfach, near Llandeilo.

Mr Jones said it was Mr Bunford’s duty to report the conviction and any change of address to the council.

Mr Jones added: “He has made contact with a licensing officer and discussed the matter on the phone, but he gave no indication if he was going to attend (today).”

He said the personal licence was issued when Mr Bunford was working in a shop, but that he didn’t think he was dependent on it now.

Mr Jones added: “He was not aware that he was still in possession of a licence.”

Local authorities now have powers to suspend or revoke personal licences. This used to be carried out by magistrates’ courts.

After taking legal advice, the licensing sub-committee revoked Mr Bunford’s licence.

The council’s legal adviser Robert Edgecombe said: “Having regard to all the facts it (the sub-committee) is satisfied that it’s appropriate to exercise its discretion to revoke the licence.”