POLICE were shocked when they walked into a community boozer during national lockdown restrictions and found a “free for all” with families drinking and the licensee propping up the bar with a pint.

A council licensing committee hearing heard police state that the Penny Black, in Langthorne Grove, Stockton, had experienced a “mini explosion” of issues in the last seven months, including the flouting of coronavirus rules, anti-social behaviour, drug taking and dealing activity in the car park and noise.

Cleveland Police said they had “no option” but to apply for the licence belonging to Gary Cooke to be revoked on the grounds of public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder, and said he had been “neglectful and irresponsible”.

The meeting heard from PC Emma Westmoreland and viewed footage from her body-worn camera when two officers visited the pub on May 15 to respond to complaints that it was open at a time when all licensed premises had been forced to shut because of Government coronavirus measures.

PC Westmoreland said Mr Cooke had been sat at the bar with a pint, while his partner worked behind it.

Up to 17 people could also be seen sitting at tables and drinking.

PC Westmoreland said: “It was like there was no coronavirus. 

“It was a bit of a free for all.

“I was shocked to walk into the premises at that time and see so many people.

“I could not comprehend the breach there and again with the licensee sitting at the bar.”

Prior to the incident on May 15 police had visited the Penny Black on four separate occasions after receiving complaints from the public that it was open and people were drinking, giving Mr Cooke advice and what he could and couldn’t do during lockdown.

During one of these visits Mr Cooke was said to be intoxicated and accused the police of bullying him.

PC Westmoreland said that Mr Cooke had also been unhelpful when he was asked about the use of CCTV as corroboration in defence of the complaints that had been made, suggesting police would have to work the system because he did not know how to.

PC Westmoreland added: “He has made no attempt to resolve the issues.

“It is like he wants to bury his head in the sand.”

Local councillor Lynn Hall, who represents Hartburn ward, said the complaints presented to the authorities were “just a snapshot”.

She pleaded: “Enough is enough.

“You the committee are our last resort – please listen to the evidence.”

A prohibition notice had been issued on May 19 by Stockton Council’s environmental health unit, which was accepted by Mr Cooke.

Acting Sergeant Andrew Thorpe, from Cleveland Police, said there had been a “mini-explosion” of issues at the pub since March 20 after licenced premises were ordered to close during a national lockdown and after the relaxation of conditions on July 4 which meant they could re-open.

He said: “The issues stem from the management of the premises and unfortunately the buck stops with Mr Cooke.

“The impression given by Mr Cooke is that he takes on board the information he is given, but then takes no action subsequently.”

On August 1 there was another complaint to Stockton Council this time which stated patrons had been dancing inside the premises, contrary to covid-19 legislation.

A phone call from a member of the public referred to “kids dancing on tables and playing loud music till 1.30am in the morning on weekends, this has been going on since premises could re-open”.

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The complainant also said there were laughing gas canisters on the premises.

Meanwhile, a review on the website TripAdvisor on August 11 from someone who claimed to have visited the Penny Black said: “If you want drugs, covid or a fight this is the place to visit.”

On August 20 a council officer received a screen shot photograph of a Instagram message allegedly from the chef at the Penny Black advising his Instagram followers measures were being put in place at the pub to keep police and licensing “sweet”, and that “normal service will resume soon”.

One local resident, who was in touch with the council, said he and his partner had lived on nearby Ellerton Road for 56 years and had “never had the noise we are having since lockdown was lifted.”

Another who had lived in the area for more than 20 years said: “The landlord has been having wild parties in the pub and loud music, along with large groups of unruly youths.

“Our lives are non-existent and we get no peace every weekend.

“I want peace and quiet – this is a residential area and not Ibiza.”

The local MP for Stockton South, Matt Vickers, had also asked for residents’ concerns to be looked into with a degree of urgency and for action to be taken.

Andrew Cochrane, on behalf of the pub company Star Pubs & Bars, which operates the Penny Black with Mr Cooke as licensee and tenant, said: “We are truly sorry that the premises have been causing a nuisance to the authorities and the neighbours.

“It is far to say that we have been extremely unhappy by the events that have unfolded before us.

“We have had two and-a-half years of relatively successful operation of the premises and have suddenly wound up in this position.”

Mr Cochrane conceded that the company and Mr Cooke now were “drinking in the last chance saloon”.

He proposed that Star Pubs & Bars – which is the leased pub business of Heineken UK –  take over the Penny Black as licence holder and while Mr Cooke would still represent the premises, he would be subject to extra supervision.

Mr Cochrane said: “Put simply we would like to give him [Mr Cooke] one final chance.”

A series of conditions were also suggested on the pub in order that it could continue to operate, including the use of CCTV, which previously was not included as a condition.

Mr Cooke would also be removed as a designated premises supervisor with another member of staff trained to carry out the role.

The meeting was told that Mr Cooke, who also is the licensee at The Dubliners pub in Thornaby, was of good character and had previously operated nightclubs in North Yorkshire.

Duncan Craig, for Mr Cooke, said he had been upstairs in the bath prior to the police visit on May 15 and the premises had been open for takeaways.

He said: “The people that you see are two particular families – well established customers in the pub.

“One of the families had an all-clear on a cancer diagnosis earlier that day and came in the premises to order takeaways and the girls behind the bar had served them.

“Mr Cooke heard the noise from his accommodation upstairs, came downstairs, and was agonising about how to deal with the situation.

“At that point [police] officers walked into the pub. 

“There was no attempt to conceal anything.

“It’s not great or exemplary conduct. 

“As soon as he came downstairs he should have dealt with it immediately, but drinks had already been served and these were existing clients and an established part of his business.”

Mr Craig said it was not denied that there had been suspicious activity in the car park which Mr Cooke was not happy with, but to some extent it was outside of his control.

He also claimed the pub could end up being boarded up should Mr Cooke’s licence be revoked and he be forced to quit.

He added: “It is of broad benefit to the community that there is a pub there at the end of this and it is run in a way that is responsible.

“Revoking the licence is not in the interests of the wider community and a boarded up pub isn’t doing anybody any good.

“These are hugely challenging times and I would imagine it will be a struggle to lease this pub in present circumstances.

“You have an experienced licensee putting his hands up, accepting he has made mistakes and fallen short and he is saying ‘Please give me another chance.’”

Mr Cooke said: “I messed up during the lockdown and I take full responsibility for that.

“There was a three or four week period when I was inundated with youngsters in the car park which I did not deal with well enough, but it has been dealt with and has been dealt with for a long time now.

“There is no more loud music, drug taking and everything else. 

“It is just a normal, quiet community pub again and will stay that way.”

Mr Cooke said he had a “good quality” CCTV system now up and running with nine cameras, which cost up to £3,000.

Councillor Paul Kirton, chairman of the licensing committee, ended the public meeting without a decision being made over Mr Cooke’s licence in order that members could engage in further deliberations before coming to a decision.

This, he said, would be relayed to the interested parties within five working days.