Silver Street bar loses alcohol license after door staff failed to help injured punter

The licensing sub-committee meeting, which was held via a telephone conference, ruled the licence would be stripped from Joey’s Bar on Silver Street following the incident and the lack of cooperation with South Yorkshire Police’s licensing team.

A police report said the victim had been left on the pavement and there was no CCTV working at the time of December 8, 2019.

Bouncers claimed they did not see the incident but CCTV from another bar proved otherwise. The police or ambulance service were not contacted by any of the bar staff.

Brad Mitchison, the designated premises supervisor, was asked how he controlled intoxicated people inside the bar and said people would be asked to leave if too drunk but added: “It’s Silver Street, that’s what it’s like.”

Police sought to agree an action plan with Mr Mitchison on how to improve the licensing conditions but failed to regularly meet officers because he was ‘working elsewhere’ and was ‘tired’. The committee ruled that this showed a ‘lack of concern’ from the licence holder.

Two further incidents occurred - one just before the New Year where an argument took place and police had to intervene outside the bar.

The second incident outside the bar on January 24 detailed how a woman was punched in the face by a man and her dad also had his tooth knocked out when he tried to intervene.

Addressing the committee, Mr Mitchison said: “I’ve got everything in order now - I was working a full-time job as well to try and make ends meet but I’ve quit that job and I’m willing to do whatever it takes. I’m sorry for what’s happened.”

But DMBC solicitor Helen Wilson, on behalf of committee chair Coun Ken Keegan, said: “The committee has decided to revoke the licence.

“Following the incident, the premises did not call the police or an ambulance and first aid was only offered after the police arrived.

“While the door man said he did not witness the incident, CCTV from another property showed the incident happened right in front of them

“Whilst the premises licence holder showed that he understood the licensing objectives, he did not seem to regard the interventions by the police as warranting serious consideration.

“The police say he has failed as the designated premise supervisor and the committee agrees.”