Court strips Hove businessman of drink licence

A Hove businessman has had his licence to sell alcohol taken away by magistrates.

Salvatore Capuano, 34, of Palmeira Avenue, Hove, was convicted of breaking licensing laws for the second time in just over two months at Brighton Magistrates’ Court.

On Friday 17 February he was fined £750 for breaching his licensing conditions and ordered to pay legal costs of £650 and a £15 victim surcharge.

He wasn’t present on two occasions last August when alcohol was sold – and nor was any other personal licence holder.

Capuano admitted one charge and denied the other but was found guilty by the court.

In December he was found guilty, along with his company Always 4 U, of selling fake Jacob’s Creek wine and illicit vodka from his warehouse in Coombe Road, Brighton.

On that occasion he was fined £800, ordered to pay £2,000 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

After the latest case the chairman of Brighton and Hove City Council Licensing Committee, Councillor Lizzie Deane, said: “We are pleased that magistrates forfeited the licence.

“It sends a strong message that anyone selling fake alcohol risks losing their licence.

“As well as the health risk to the public, it really isn’t worth the damage it can do to a business.

“The council works with owners of licensed premises and our trading standards officers advise them not to buy wines or spirits from an unofficial supplier.

“We also work in partnership with wine companies, Sussex Police and HM Revenue and Customs to crack down on counterfeit and illegal alcohol sales.”

Sussex Police licensing officer Lara Baldwin said: “I am very happy with this decision.

“It sends a clear message to anyone not taking their responsibilities in the licensing trade seriously or who may consciously be flouting the law that any transgressions will be robustly dealt with.

“Potentially, they can wave goodbye to a business or a career.”