1 STATEMENT OF WITNESS

2 Criminal Procedure Rules r27.1(1); Criminal Justice Act 1967, Section 9; Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, Section 5B

Statement of : (name of witness) Bernadette Forde

Age of witness : Over 21
Occupation of witness : Licensing Enforcement Officer.
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2 This statement (consisting of 2 page(s) and signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief
3 and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I should be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully
4 stated in it anything I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
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7 Signature Date 12 August 2009
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9 I am a Licensing Enforcement Officer employed by the London Borough of Harrow and am authorised

10 by that authority to investigate offences committed under various statutes, including the Licensing Act

11 2003. On 11th August 2009 at approximately 11.10am I visited ‘Arishan Spark’, 183 Marsh Road, Pinner,

12 Middlesex, HA5 5PB (the ‘Premises’) with my colleague Mr Stuart Fox (SF) to deliver a copy of the

13 application to review the premises licence submitted by the Metropolitan Police and to display the

14 requisite notices at the Premises. On entering the Premises I approached the male member of staff

15 behind the counter and SF and I introduced ourselves and produced our identifications. I asked to see Mr

16 Nagendram, the premises licence holder. The staff member replied that Mr Nagendram was not at the

17 premises. At this time a customer had come to the counter and I stepped aside for the staff member to

18 see to this customer. While waiting I noticed that the customer was purchasing several cans of beer and

19 in my opinion the customer did not look of age to purchase alcohol. The staff member behind the counter

20 served the customer and did not ask the customer to produce any proof of age. When the customer left

21 the Premises, I proceeded to explain to the member of staff that the licensing authority had received an

22 application to review the premises licence from the Metropolitan Police. I showed a copy of the review

23 application and supporting statements to the staff member and explained that due the review application

24 we were required to display notices at the premises advertising the review application. I left the review

25 application with the supporting statements with the staff member and asked that these be passed to Mr

26 Nagendram, the premises licence holder. While SF and I were displaying notices of the review application

27 at the premises, a female customer entered the Premises. As the female entered the Premises she

28 passed by me and there was a strong smell of alcohol from her breath. The female spoke to me but I

29 could not understand what she said as her words were very slurred and not understandable. I watched

30 the female go to the fridge in the Premises where she picked up one can of ‘White Star’ beer and walk

31 back to the counter. The female was staggering and in my opinion appeared to be very intoxicated. SF

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4 Signature Date
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6 Page. 1
 7 STATEMENT OF WITNESS continued – Bernadette Forde
8 Criminal Procedure Rules r27.1(1); Criminal Justice Act 1967, Section 9; Magistrates’ Courts Act 1980, Section 5B
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32 and I had completed displaying the notices. Before leaving the Premises I asked the staff member his

33 name so I could note it in my PACE notebook. The staff member gave his name as Ramesh. When SF

34 and I left the Premises we waited outside to observe if the staff member served the female customer

35 through the window. After several minutes had passed the staff member signalled to SF and I to come

36 back into the Premises. SF and I re-entered the Premises and the staff member stated that he had just

37 spoken to Mr Nagendram on the telephone and he would be calling back to speak with us. SF and I

38 waited in the Premises for Mr Nagendram to telephone and while waiting I witnessed the staff member

39 sell the female customer who appeared to be intoxicated, one can of ‘White Star’ beer. The female

40 customer left the Premises after completing her purchase. I asked the staff member if he thought that lady

41 was intoxicated and he replied yes but she is always that way. I asked the staff member if he thought the

42 female customer was intoxicated why he served her and the staff member replied that normally he does

43 not serve intoxicated persons but this female customer was too much hassle. The telephone then rang

44 and the staff member answered it and passed the telephone to me to speak to Mr Nagendram. I

45 explained to Mr Nagendram who I was and why I was at the Premises. After speaking to Mr Nagendram

46 by telephone, SF and I left the Premises at approximately 11.25am. I am willing to attend court to give

47 evidence.

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11 Signature Date
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13 Page. 2
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