Hosts removed in soccer crackdown
Council chiefs have removed the designated premises supervisors (DPS) of 11 Humberside pubs believed to be suspected of screening football via the internet.
It's an "interim step" until the premises licences, currently suspended, go to summary review next month. The Morning Advertiser understands that at least some of the venues now plan joint action to save their licences.
Summary review is a fast-track way for police to order a licence re-view. MA legal editor Peter Coulson said: "In order to justify an application for summary review, a serious crime or serious disorder is required to be shown. Alleged breaches of copyright wouldn't usually fall into that category."
Tracy Harsley, head of the council's Citysafe, said police used their powers to ask the licensing sub-committee to hear representations from the force and premises licence holders earlier this month.
"The committee de-cided in each case as an interim step to remove the DPS. That interim step will remain in place until at least the summary review hearings, due to take place at the start of next month.
"In each case that the interim step was imposed it was necessary, to promote the Prevention of Crime
and Disorder licensing ob-jective under the 2003 [Licensing] Act."
The action follows raids on the pubs, plus three private addresses, earlier this month. Over £70,000 in cash plus computer equipment, tobacco and drugs were seized in the operation on 3 February.
It involved more than 70 officers, some representing HM Revenue & Customs. Three people were arrested and bailed in connection with the operation.
Satellite TV cases continue
Ten licensees have now been acquitted, and four convicted, in the mass foreign satellite court cases in Chester.
Twelve cases have yet to be heard at Chester Magistrates Court. For those that were acquitted, the magistrate ruled that they didn't act dishonestly by screening the games.
MA legal editor Peter Coulson warned that licensees risk prosecution if they know they are breaching copyright rules by showing games via foreign satellites.
