AN Indian restaurant has had its drinks licence revoked after a university rugby team’s “hottest curry” competition resulted in the street being covered in vomit and urine.
Durham Police told a licensing hearing on Tuesday how the drunk students were allowed to take their own alcohol into Shaheen’s Indian Bistro, told they had eat the curry outside as it would make them sick and that the-then licensee Tabbasum Khan spoon-fed them the spicy food from dishes she had in the boot of her car.
CCTV cameras next door captured much of the incident outside the restaurant in North Bailey, just yards from Durham Cathedral.
Durham County Council’s licensing sub-committee was shown footage of members of the public having to step over piles of vomit and the Durham University students playing drinking games outside the premises, urinating in the street and jumping in front of cars.
Mrs Khan, who had already removed herself from the role as licensee, apologised for the handling of the incident, denied encouraging the students and accepted she could have done more to prevent the situation.
She did dispute aspects of the evidence given by the police, including agreeing in advance to make their “hottest curry” for £15-a-head for the 35-strong group and telling them they would have to eat it outside because they would be sick.
She added that she told the students they could bring in one drink of their own and the rest was left behind the bar until they left.
Mrs Khan said this incident at about 9pm on Wednesday, October 28 had been the only problem in 30 years of trading and without a licence she was concerned about the future of the restaurant.
“I should have done more,” she said. “I believe I did not act appropriately. However, it has been five months since and nothing has happened since.”
When officers arrived, a member of staff was heard telling the students “Get in, get in, they can’t touch you inside.”
Sergeant Kay Howarth who was one of the first on the scene and told Mrs Khan “you should be ashamed of yourself” and that it was “disgusting.”
Seventeen penalty fines were given to members of the rugby team for their behaviour that night.
Officers had to clean up the mess, with help from staff from neighbouring Lebanese restaurant Lebaneat but none from Shaheen’s.
Licensing sub-committee chairman Councillor Colin Carr said they had taken the decision to revoke the licence after considering the council’s licensing policy, in particular the sections relating to crime and disorder and public nuisance.
The restaurant has had some well-known customers in recent years, including travel writer Bill Bryson, Hollywood star Russell Crowe and the England cricket team.
Shaheen’s had been allowed to serve booze until 11pm six days a week and 10.30pm on Sundays.
It is unknown whether Shaheen’s will appeal.
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