A HEARING to review the licence of the Havana Bar and Restaurant because of alleged sales of alcohol to under 18s has been adjourned until Friday, August 15.

St Helens Council’s Sub Licensing Committee accepted a request by the licence holder Mr Kambiz Karoonian to postpone the hearing due to a family bereavement.

Mr Karoonian attended the meeting at St Helens Town Hall without a solicitor and his wife and fellow licence holder Mrs Thuy Binh Karoonian was also not present.

Police requested a review of the bar’s licence after various incidents which included the selling of alcohol to underage people making ‘test purchases’ on two separate occasions within four months.

In September 2013 a 15-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl purchased alcohol on the premises, while in January 2014 a 17-year-old boy was discovered to have bought alcohol using an expired passport belonging to a 12-year-old boy.

Police also claim that further breaches to the licence have been made with incidents of glasses been taken out of the premises and the playing of music outside from external speakers.

A statement from the police said: “We are disappointed that the hearing will not proceed. Mr Karoonian has had the review application since the middle of June and in our opinion has had ample time to seek legal advice with respect to this matter.”

Chair of the Sub Licensing Committee Councillor Allan Jones added: “This committee is also very disappointed that Mr Karoonian has not come here today to defend the application and that we cannot carry on this morning.”

Mr Karoonian was asked to bring a solicitor with him for the rearranged meeting which will take place at the town hall on Friday, August 15 at 9.30am.