Police evidence on a pub owner who faced restrictions on his premises licence had been like “a review by Mystic Meg – done on feelings”.

The remarks were made by Leo Charalambides, who was representing the owner of Rhyl pub The North, Wellington Road, at Denbighshire council’s Licensing Sub-Committee on Wednesday.

He was responding to claims from North Wales Police that Robin Jones had “failed to promote the licensing objectives,  particularly the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety and public nuisance”.

The committee changed the premises licence, making 12 amendments put forward by North Wales Police, which included removing business owner Robin Jones as Designated Premises Supervisor.

The licensing review hearing heard how a temporary barman, since dismissed, had been caught on CCTV buying stolen alcohol.

Events over a 13-month period had included people being glassed, brawls and a bottle being thrown into Rhyl police station next door and damaging a police car, the committee heard.

In an incident involving two people fighting in the road outside the venue, one man had to be tasered and another sprayed with incapacitant to bring them under control.

North Wales Police’s legal representative Gareth Preston told the hearing there had been a string of incidents and numerous meetings between the owner, police and licensing officers trying to solve issues at the pub.

He said over a five-year period police had been called out more than 140 times to the venue – a third of them between December 2018 and January 2020.

Thirty-four calls to police about The North had been related to problems at KFC, next door to the venue, he added.

Mr Preston claimed staff had been unable to access CCTV on several occasions to help police gather evidence

However Mr Charalambides said more cameras had been installed during lockdown by his client and the system upgraded.

Mr Preston claimed staff at the pub did not contact police in a timely manner and said on one occasion a customer was attacked and police were not called until 30 minutes later.

Mr Charalambides, for Mr Jones, said phone records showed it had in fact been 19 minutes.

Mr Preston said: “Serious concerns include staff not being adequately trained, drunk people not being properly challenged, door supervisors and staff being incapable of managing customers and inexperienced young and vulnerable members of staff being left to look after the premises alone.

“The business model seems to promote a late-night drinking culture where people come to The North from other premises, which requires heightened vigilance.

“That vigilance has been lacking in the current model.”

Mr Preston said post-lockdown social distancing had not been observed and customers had been served at the bar rather than at their tables.

He added: “There’s been a casual indifference to the licensing objectives.”

Mr Preston said police didn’t wish to see the premises closed but wanted “modifications to the licence” of the pub which was in a “sensitive area of Rhyl”.

Mr Charlambides said much of the evidence put forward by police had been about their feelings rather than things which could be evidenced in court.

He said: “It’s a bit like a review by Mystic Meg – it’s done on feelings. I don’t know whether North Wales Police use a dousing rod but I find it unreliable.

“I’m not saying these premises are not challenging. Of course, it’s because we operate in the night time economy.”

He said on “Mad Friday” in December 2018 Mr Jones had closed down the pub voluntarily after there had been disorder.

Mr Charalambides said it meant “issues and challenges” were identified by staff and management and dealt with.

He urged the committee to follow his amended recommendations and “keep this vibrant premises open”.

The 12 amendments adopted by the committee were:

All licensable activities to cease by 11pm

All customers to leave the premises by midnight – apart from staff

Someone who can access and download CCTV footage to be on site at all times when licensable activities are being undertaken – or the premises to be closed until there is

The rear beer garden and rear smoking shelter not to be used after 9pm

A designated smoking area to be used after 9pm in the rear of the premises. and limited to people at a time. Plus actively monitored by an SIA door supervisor with no drinks permitted in the area

No smoking in front of the premises after 9pm

Last entry at 11pm

No re-admittance to any customers who leaves the premises after 11pm – with no exceptions

A minimum of one personal licence holder on duty at all times when licensable activities are being undertaken

All drinks decanted into plastic cups at all times when licensable activities are being undertaken

All door supervisors to be SIA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) accredited

Removal of Robin Jones as Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS)

The committee said it took into account the late hours during which a large proportion of the incidents took place when making its decision.

It added: “On the basis of the evidence provided and in light of the catalogue of incidents at the premises during December 2018 – February 2020 set out in the evidence submitted by North Wales Police, and in the additional evidence presented for the period March 2020 to August 2020, the Licensing Sub Committee found serious failings in relation to the effective management of the premises under the current management regime.

“(It) has therefore also decided to remove Robin Jones as Designated Premises Supervisor in the hope that, together with the other modifications of the licence, the premises will be better managed in the future in accordance with relevant licensing objectives.”

The full decision and reasons will be emailed to all relevant parties within five working days together with information on their right of appeal.