District judge hits out at Lincoln licensees serving drunken revellers

A district judge has hit out at licensees running Lincoln's pubs and clubs for continuing to serve drunken revellers.

Richard Blake said the city's binge-drinkers are allowed to get so drunk that many go on to commit alcohol-fuelled crimes which could be avoided.

Mr Blake said it is an offence to serve someone who is drunk and he was sick of licensees escaping the blame for their part in failing to tackle drunken criminal behaviour.

"Landlords should be aware that they have some social responsibility," said Mr Blake.

"In my day, if someone was drunk they would not be served.

"But nowadays bars make money out of these people before throwing them out on the street to commit crimes."

Mr Blake's comments followed the sentencing of Luke Brown, 20, at Lincoln Magistrates' Court.

Brown was given an electronic curfew for 12-weeks after threatening to headbutt his girlfriend and her friend after being thrown out of Essence Bar in Newland on the evening of September 18.

The court heard that Brown, of Parker Avenue of Lincoln's Brant Road, was 'making the most' of a two-for-one drinks offer that night.

Mr Blake asked prosecutor Nick Todd to contact the senior officer at Lincolnshire Police responsible for licensing and ask him to investigate Essence Bar for serving revellers who are visibly drunk.

For a reaction piece from the city's landlords, see Wednesday's Echo.