Council orders DPS change after death
Councillors in Middlesbrough have ordered that the designated premises supervisor (DPS) of a pub be replaced following the death of one of its regulars outside the premises.
The Grenadier had its licence temporarily suspended after Spencer Freeman suffered a fatal head injury in the early hours of 10 April.
The pub reopened on 28 April but new conditions have been placed on the its licence by the council's licensing panel, including the appointment of a new DPS.
Punch Taverns lessee and DPS Nicola Dickens took over the running of the Grenadier four years ago from her mother, who had been in charge for 14 years.
The panel was told that on the day leading up to Freeman's death, the pub had also flouted licensing laws by opening two hours early at 8am.
Councillor Bernie Taylor, chairman of the panel, said that there had been a fail-
ure to promote the licensing objectives due to poor management.
Sergeant Paul Higgins, of Middlesbrough District Licensing Unit, said: "During the investigation it emerged that the pub had opened outside of its hours, from 8am until 10am, for a group of 30 males who went on to attend an away football match.
"By the time the incident took place — at around midnight — a group of these males had returned to the pub where the level of in-toxication of some of the customers was totally unacceptable."
A spokesman for Punch Taverns said: "We can confirm that a new DPS will be appointed. Our current licensee remains in place and we will work very closely with her to build a great future for the Grenadier.
"Our operations team have developed strong relationships with the local authorities and continue to work with them."
Publican's Morning Advertiser legal expert Peter Coulson said: "If the police believe the conduct of the premises has given rise to disorder, it is always within their power to ask for an expedited review which, within a short period of time, can call the DPS up in front of the committee."
Aaron Hayes, 19, is due to appear in Teesside Crown Court on 28 June in connection with the death of Spencer Freeman.
