Purbeck Pub Licence Revoked After Drug Activity

Following a police investigation, a Swanage pub has had its licence revoked and the landlady convicted for the possession of drugs.

In November 2009, officers swooped on the Purbeck Hotel, High Street, as part of a wider intelligence-led operation to remove suspected drug dealers from addresses in Purbeck.

A warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 was executed and the High Street premises was thoroughly searched.

Officers found cocaine with a street value of £600, cannabis with a street value of £450 and a small amount of ketamine (street value of £15).

On Tuesday, 12 January 2010, at Weymouth Magistrates Court, Alexis Luker, 37, the hotel’s landlady, was sentenced after pleading guilty to the possession of class A, class B and class C drugs.

Luker was given a 12 month Community Order, ordered to carry out 140 hours unpaid work, pay £85 in costs and forfeit the drugs.

Dorset Police requested a review of the Purbeck Hotel’s licence and the licensing sub-committee sat on Thursday, 14 January 2010 at Westport House, Wareham. Having heard all the evidence, the sub-committee made a decision to revoke the premises’ licence.

Individuals who gave evidence to the Licensing Panel included Purbeck Inspector Chris Weeks, Police Licensing Officers Caroline Wateridge and Karen O’Donnell, and Swanage Town Safer Neighbourhood Officer Dave Cox.

Purbeck Section Commander, Inspector Chris Weeks, said: “We will not tolerate illegal drug activity in Purbeck.

"There will be more arrests and we will continue to target, not only the homes of those people we believe are involved in the supply of drugs, but also their workplace, a pub, a club or any other place where drugs or stolen property changes hands.

“The reason a warrant was executed at the Purbeck Hotel was based on intelligence that implicated the management of the venue as being involved.  

“This clearly undermines the licensing objectives regarding crime and disorder and public safety. Therefore, it was necessary to request the revocation of the Purbeck Hotel’s licence, as this type of criminality has no place in our society. “