Kumrakulasingham Thevathas, a shop owner in Accrington, has had his licence to sell alcohol revoked by Hyndburn Council after police found him drunk and “incoherent” at his store. Lancashire Police responded to a call from Thevathas on 29 September, with the operator reporting the presence of raised voices in the background. Upon arrival at Sasda 24/7, Whalley Road, officers found Thevathas to be unsteady on his feet, slurring his words, and smelling of alcohol.
An officer found a half-empty vodka bottle and a three-quarter empty rum bottle. At a hearing, the police constable stated that members of the public had confirmed that this was typical behaviour for Thevathas, who had held the licence for a month. Thevathas did not challenge the revocation of his premises licence.
During the hearing, the council was told that Thevathas had previously received a warning relating to the illegal sale of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as “laughing gas”. The council also heard that the shop’s storage of gas cylinders in an adjacent property violated regulations.
A spokesperson for Hyndburn Council said that the decision to revoke the licence demonstrated the authority’s commitment “to making sure all licensed premises in the borough comply with legislation.” They added that the council could not permit behaviour that put Thevathas and his customers at risk
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