A PUB boss who sold vodka with the same chemical make-up as screen wash is to be questioned by police.

Officers have confirmed businessman Sunny Gill is under investigation following raids at two bars he ran in Consett, County Durham.

Councillors sitting on a licensing committee today (Tuesday, March 17) heard illicit spirits made with industrial alcohol was sold at the Coach and Horses and Chaplains.

Sergeant Tim Robson, of Durham Constabulary, said Mr Gill was currently in India visiting family, but would be interviewed when he returns to the region and could face prosecution.

He said: “Trading standards and our police alcohol harm reduction team are going to lead the criminal investigation with regard to the product sold in the pubs.

“The product is unfit for human consumption and there is also a trademark offence where you display a product which tells a lie about itself, where it is not what it purports to be.”

Police and trading standards officers found numerous bottles of illicit Kommissar vodka in both bars during raids on November 8.

Durham County Council’s licensing committee heard Mr Gill is no longer linked to either venue and both are in the process of being sold.

The Coaches and Horses is being taken over by Amber Taverns, which is carrying out a £500,000 refurbishment and rebranding of the pub.

The company, which also owns GW Horners in Chester-le-Street and The Tap @ Carter’s Well in Gateshead, has said the new bar will be open in summer.

The Coaches and Horses was owned by Star Pubs and Bars and Mr Gill was the licensee.

The drinks licence remains in place, but he has been removed as the designated premises supervisor.

Andrew Cochrane, solicitor for Star Pubs and Bars, said: “This was a rogue operator selling rogue stock and he has gone. He has fallen on his sword.”

An application to review the drinks licence for Chaplains, which is also being sold, has been adjourned.

Mr Gill, who controversially ran the lap dancing club Red Velvet, before it was closed following a drugs raid, has one remaining club in the town, Decades, which is also up for sale.

Councillor Colin Carr, chairman of the licensing committee, said: “We hope that there are not more cases like this in County Durham.

“We are concerned about the health of people who use licensed premises.”