A CAF owner claims he has been unfairly targeted after objectors united to block his plans for later opening.

At a meeting of Middlesbrough Borough Council's licensing committee yesterday, permission was refused for Caf Mango, in Linthorpe Road in the town, to open until 2am instead of 1am, every day.

The decision follows months of controversy surrounding the premises, and a petition from residents who claimed it was too noisy.

It also follows a site visit by a police licensing officer, who found its proprietor to be in breach of entertainment and liquor licensing restrictions previously imposed.

In addition to refusing the application, councillors have ordered the caf's Sunday opening hours to be cut from 1am to 10.30pm.

Last night, proprietor Abdu Shaher said the decision was unfair.

"We are very unhappy because the council said there was a noise problem on Sunday evenings, but was unable to provide any evidence," he said.

"We have bent over backwards to implement all the conditions it has put in place, but we have been vilified by the police and Middlesbrough council over the way we run our premises."

Although Mr Shaher admits that he was guilty of serving alcohol beyond the time he was licensed until, he claims he only breached entertainment rules due to a misunderstanding.

Now he has lodged an official complaint with the chief constable of Cleveland Police, claiming the force did nothing when his car and windows were smashed.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said she was unaware of the formal complaint, adding: "It was the borough council that made the decision, not the police. The police were only one out of 20 objectors."

A council spokesman said: "It was felt the proposals would have an adverse effect on the quality of life of people living near the restaurant."