Eatery owner charged with illegal liquor sale

Eatery owner charged with illegal liquor sale

SINAGPORE - An owner of a restaurant in Jalan Besar was charged in court on Friday with selling liquor without a valid licence.

Tan Suan Lee, 44, who had no lawyer, indicated that he intended to plead guilty to the charge.

He is accused of selling liquor to customers at his restaurant Prata City on Dec 21 last year, although he had no licence to do so.

If convicted under the Customs Act, he could be fined up to $5,000.

His restaurant falls within the designated area in Little India, where restrictions have been imposed on the sale and public consumption of liquor, in the aftermath of the Dec 8 riot.

Liquor and convenience stores in the area holding retail and wholesale licences were allowed to sell takeaway alcohol, but only from 6am to 8pm on weekends, eve of public holidays and on public holidays.

A liquor store in Chander Road has been found to have breached the restrictions on Dec 22. Its licence has been suspended until the case is over.

Tan will return to court next Wednesday for his plea to be taken.

In a statement on Thursday, police said 32 people have been issued advisories for drinking in public in the designated area outside the approved times.

Those who were given advisories complied with police advice to stop drinking, and had their alcohol seized.

"The police will continue their heightened patrols in Little India to enforce the ban on alcohol consumption and the licensing restrictions on the sale of alcohol," the statement added.

elena@sph.com.sg


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