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Nightclub owner charged for allegedly selling alcohol with expired license

- Police allege liquor license expired in May but was stamped in June
August 16th, 2021 | Tags: Bar nightclub owner Liquor License charged police
A nightclub owner on Tortola has been charged for selling alcohol allegedly while not being in possession of a valid liquor license. Photo: VINO/File
FREE BOTTOM, Tortola, VI- A nightclub owner on Tortola has been charged for selling alcohol allegedly while not being in possession of a valid liquor license.

According to reports reaching our newsroom, police last night, August 15, 2021, reportedly responded to reports that a nightclub in Freebottom was in operation despite there being a prohibition order against such operations due to the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Portable bar’ was allegedly in operation

Our newsroom was informed that police visited the club where patrons were observed being served alcoholic beverages by female bartenders at a ‘portable bar’ outside of the nightclub and that no liquor license was displayed in a conspicuous position as required by law.

According to sources, the owner of the bar began to use indecent and insulting language to the police officers, but when told he was in breach of the law he reportedly left to produce his liquor license.

According to reports, the bar owner presented a restaurant and bar liquor license which was only valid for the period from December 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021.

Expired liquor license

Police; however, reportedly observed that the license was stamped with an issued date of June 25, 2021, which was after it had expired.

The bar owner was ordered to close the establishment within 15 minutes but he allegedly challenged the officers to arrest him as he didn’t intend to comply.

According to sources, half-hour later, at around 8:38 pm, liquor was still being sold and the businessman was arrested and charged for Failure to comply with orders given by Police, Failure to display liquor license in a conspicuous position and Permitting spirit to be sold without a liquor license.

The accused was granted bail in the sum of $3000 with 1 signed surety.

He is to appear in the Magistrate’s Court on September 23, 2021.

21 Responses to “Nightclub owner charged for allegedly selling alcohol with expired license”

  • jokes (16/08/2021, 13:38) Like (14) Dislike (38) Reply
    The reason the guy behaved in this manner is because the new liquor licenses from June onwards 2021 are not ready yet so how would he be able to display it? Another lawsuit for the Police Force showing themselves instead of investigating further. Surely they could have verified with Inland Revenue and other agencies as to whether the renewed liquor license was applied for, approved and just pending print at IR offices.
    • Jesus we need you! (16/08/2021, 14:07) Like (47) Dislike (2) Reply
      They don’t have to! Maybe we should focus on him being open in the first place!
    • @jokes (16/08/2021, 15:10) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
      How can they check with Inland Revenue on a weekend?!
    • @jokes (17/08/2021, 08:13) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      It is not the owner's responsibility to confirm that he had a valid temporary liquor licence. If his licence had indeed expired 2 1/2 months ago the usual procedure until the sitting in June would have been for the owner to apply for the temporary liquor licence through Deputy Governor's Office. He too could have shown his receipt for payment of the same to the police.
    • Greg (17/08/2021, 22:04) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      True, I call every other day, and the license are still not ready. The Police should know this by just calling inland revenue for proof.
  • Fresca (16/08/2021, 13:42) Like (17) Dislike (9) Reply
    I'm feeling hope for the VI ......with manpower and oversight of the UK.
  • .... (16/08/2021, 13:49) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    the crystal ball is clear
  • Retarded (16/08/2021, 14:22) Like (2) Dislike (40) Reply
    If the license is stamped in June and the police visited in August how is the owner selling without a license.
    This police must be retarded. Unless this paper got it wrong.
    I Think this police is very malicious.
  • Bar owner (16/08/2021, 14:43) Like (6) Dislike (19) Reply
    What is wrong with these the police, people are waiting for there liquor license from in land revenue, every time you go they say it’s not ready yet. The acted to hastily,people still waiting for threes license,it is the fault of the government.
    • double standard (16/08/2021, 14:55) Like (17) Dislike (4) Reply

      if the night club had cause a next out break some you would have been here shut down this charge this and that

  • Well (16/08/2021, 14:53) Like (9) Dislike (9) Reply
    HE GOT BE FROM HERE SO HE IS INTITLED , LET THE POLICE FROM HERE DEAL WITH THEM AND LET EXPAT DEAL
    WITH EXPAT BECAUSE WHEN POLICE ENFORCE THE LAW AND ITS ON A LOCAL ITS ALWAYS WRONG
  • learn to read (16/08/2021, 15:07) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please read and understand before blogging. Go read and come again.
  • No (16/08/2021, 15:45) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    Understand clearly that if you don't have a valid license in hand (displayed on your wall too) you cant operate. simple thing.
    • @No (16/08/2021, 19:52) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You cannot display what you do not have. No bar has a license past May 31 because they are NOT READY.
  • wow (16/08/2021, 16:03) Like (5) Dislike (10) Reply
    These police officers are so in competent !!!!they working on a simple case taking them one month you give them information they letting the defendants know what you telling them and then looking to make case when defendants gone out the picture …but wait family suffering at the hands of these police will live to see their rewards don’t worry officers we are praying ppl one day justice will be awarded for those family suffering at you all hands .
  • Hotelier (16/08/2021, 18:00) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Whole liquor licensing business is a complete fiasco. As usual in BVI. Someone needs to sort the whole thing out.
  • See (16/08/2021, 20:17) Like (18) Dislike (6) Reply
    Just for starters strip clubs are illegal and where do you think the covid actually spread from ? No one wants to admit it .
  • sort (16/08/2021, 20:47) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    The government created these type of monsters now they can't stop them now.The laws on the books everyone knows how to get around every one of them. You can't get them catch so easy. Can't open inside l will open on the outside lol. Law enforcement have their hands full although many of them are well aware of what is going on.
  • Shut up... (16/08/2021, 22:57) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Jr have the outside bar since December 2018...what is the problem now in 2021? I’m lost...IR have not yet called anyone for their liquor license...let us know if everyone was wearing their mask!!that is what’s important
  • @sort (17/08/2021, 07:50) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    People choose to do wrong and think they are right. It is time to act responsible and do what is right.
  • VI Gyal (18/08/2021, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This one the Police is at fault...sorry. Sometimes it is the way you approach a matter and some police do not know how to act. If they had ask the proper questions after he presented the receipt they would have understood. The bars were entitled to open, not the strip clubs and night clubs. In this case only the bar was open. He did not breach in anyway.


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