Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Newham Council destroys ten tonnes of illegal alcohol seized from local off-licences and restaurants (7 March 2016)

Date: 07/03/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Newham Council destroys ten tonnes of illegal alcohol seized from local off-licences and restaurants

Newham Council in East London has confiscated illegal alcohol worth an estimated £75,000 during operations to crack down on shops selling alcohol without a licence, off-licences breaching their licences by selling super-strength beers – and restaurants selling wines and spirits without having paid the correct alcohol duty.

The council’s licensing team cleared out their evidence room at the end of February and boxed up ten tonnes of alcohol seized during their operations, to be sent off for destruction.

The haul included crates of Guinness, Heineken and Volfas Engelman, as well as counterfeit spirits, illicit home brew and bottles of wine.

All the alcohol has been seized in recent years and held by the council to be used in court evidence.

After the cases were concluded, the council requested permission to have the alcohol destroyed.

The licensing team’s investigations have secured £9,000 in fines against off-licences and restaurants which have repeatedly breached their licence conditions – two managers have also had their personal alcohol licences revoked and eight have accepted police cautions.

Mayoral Advisor for environment and leisure – and chairman of the licensing sub-committee – Councillor Ian Corbett, said:

“Breaching licensing conditions, selling counterfeit booze and not paying alcohol duty are not victimless crimes.

“Off-licences selling super strength or fake booze can often be the source of anti-social or even violent behaviour either on our streets or behind closed doors.

“They also pose a huge health risk to those drinking it – these irresponsible shops put people at unnecessary risk, which is why the council imposes strict limits on the strength of alcohol that can be sold in the borough.

“And those dodging taxes are putting unnecessary additional strain on the country, as it means there is less money to fund vital services like the NHS, schooling and emergency services.”

The council said that recent examples of illegal alcohol seizure by the council’s licensing team includes the off-licence Always Always in Balaam Street, which last spring was found to be selling alcohol outside of the hours on its licence as, well as spirits, without paying alcohol duty. The spirits were seized and in July 2015 the licensing sub-committee revoked the store’s licence. Following an appeal at Thames Magistrates’ Court, the council’s decision was upheld in January 2016.

In March 2015, staff at Karuri News in Woodgrange Road were found to be selling beers and ciders above 6% ABV and outside of licensing hours, breaching the premises licence.

Newham Council’s licensing team seized the alcohol and in April 2015, the premises’ licence was revoked.

Duncan Lewis Criminal Solicitors

Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors can advise at any stage of an investigation into public protection offences, such as selling illegal alcohol and tobacco, selling counterfeit goods, weights and measures offences, mislabelling offences, selling defective produce and breaches of food hygiene and health and safety legislation.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide, including more than 20 offices across London and the southeast.

For expert legal advice on charges relating to public protection offences, call Duncan Lewis criminal solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.