An Arbroath nightclub repeatedly visited by police has retained its licence while the licensing board decides the best way forward.
The board had been due to consider the premises licence of De Vitos Ltd on Millgate on Wednesday but the club’s lawyer Janet Hood described the police complaint as “invalid” due to its lack of detail.
It referred to 53 occasions officers attended the nightclub in 2013 but did not specify the dates or nature of the incidents.
She said: “There is a lack of specifications and inaccuracies in the review application. I have seldom seen a review application which is so poorly drafted. I have been unable to advise my clients how to deal with this review application.
“The police refer to 53 incidents which they allege occurred on the premises in 2013 but they don’t specify what the incidents are. They don’t say when the incidents occurred. They don’t say whether the police were called by staff or whether they were complaints by patrons or if they discovered problems on a routine visit.”
Miss Hood said she contacted Police Scotland for details about the incidents last month but that the information had not been received.
She added: “It is a basic principle of Scots Law that persons accused of a matter must be made aware of the complaint being made against them.”
One incident at the nightclub. which was described in detail to the committee. is to be the subject of a forthcoming sheriff court case.
The licensing board decided to defer its hearing about De Vitos to enable information about the 53 alleged incidents last year to be provided by police and also for the resolution of the upcoming court case.
Making the motion to adjourn the hearing, Councillor Alex King said: “I think (by proceeding) there is a possibility we could jeopardise a fair trial in court.”