A LEBANESE restaurant has been stripped of its licence to sell alcohol after a councillors ruled that an “illegal worker” was caught on the premises.

Lebaneat opened in Yarm’s former Lloyds Bank in July.

But a joint raid by Cleveland Police, HMRC, immigration teams and the labour abuse authority Gangmasters in September uncovered someone they believed was an Egyptian national at the High Street site who wasn’t permitted to work in the UK.

Councillors opted to remove Lebaneat’s ability to sell alcohol on the back of a four hour hearing earlier this month at Stockton Town Hall.

Two of the restaurant’s premises in Durham had licences revoked after four illegal workers were found at its outlets earlier this year.

Cleveland Police accused Lebaneat of a “pattern and history” of problems at the Stockton hearing.

Barrister Joan Smith told Stockton Council licensing committee that Lebaneat owner Ahmed Sayed had shown a “total and utter disregard for the law” when it came to employment of illegal workers.

However, the firm countered the police’s assertion that the man found at the Yarm restaurant was an illegal worker.

A photocopy of an Italian passport bearing the name “Mohammed Ali” was offered up to the committee as evidence there was uncertainty over his identity.

But, on the back of all the evidence, councillors opted to revoke Mr Sayed’s premises licence.

A council decision notice added: “The committee considered all of the evidence and were satisfied that the illegal worker was an Egyptian national and was not ‘Mr MA’.

“The committee was extremely concerned that the documentation allegedly taken from the Egyptian male was possibly a counterfeit passport – or more likely had been falsified on behalf of Mr Sayed.

“The committee was satisfied that Mr Sayed knew full well that the individual was an Egyptian national and had no right to work in the UK.”

The council’s revocation notice stated Mr Sayed’s past employment of illegal workers in Durham was “clearly relevant” to the final decision.

The report added: “The committee was mindful that Mr Sayed’s companies had a history of employing illegal workers.

“The committee was satisfied that Mr Sayed appeared to have a complete disregard for his legal responsibilities.”

Lebaneat area manager Lukasz Szulczynski told the committee the worker had been suspended by the firm following the September visit.

He also urged councillors to consider the work he had done in four months at the company – and the number of people employed by Lebaneat.

Lebaneat has been contacted for comment on the decision.

The firm has indicated it intends to appeal the revocation in the courts.

A message on its Facebook page says: “Some people may be aware that we are currently making an appeal regarding our alcohol licence at Yarm.

“We are still serving alcoholic drinks at Yarm, however, we are also giving our customers the opportunity to bring along your own drinks.

“If anyone has any concerns, please feel free to drop us a line.”