A pub licensee has been refused permission to became the supervisor of two bars after councillors said they had "no faith" in his ability to uphold law and order.

James McDonald asked to became the designated premises supervisor (DPS) who would be responsible for day-to-day control of the Chaplains and K2/Time venues.

His recent conviction for breaching licence conditions, however, stopped him from getting his wish.

He is the license holder for the bars - both on Front Street, Consett - but even this is to be reviewed after they fell foul of licensing rules.

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Durham Police objected to the application in a Durham County Council licensing sub-committee meeting on Tuesday (November 15).

Temporary Inspector Caroline Dickenson said: "I'm satisfied that granting the applications will undermine the prevention of crime and disorder objective.

"The role of designated premises supervisor is a responsible position which requires day-to-day control of alcohol sales and licensed premises, ensuring that they and other staff members are fully trained and supported in sales whilst upholding the licensing objectives."

She told how an August visit revealed licensing conditions were not being obeyed at Chaplains on staff training, door staff numbers and logs, and people drinking outside after 11pm.

She said the bars' licences had been reviewed after a "serious incident" at Chaplains and "serious disorder" at K2/Time, formerly K2/Union.

Read more: Consett pub is denied licence change amid disorder concerns

Investigations showed Mr McDonald had been employing door supervisors not licensed with the Security Industry Authority (SIA), added the inspector.

The council prosecuted Mr McDonald and in September he was convicted of two offences of carrying on licensable activity without authorisation at Chaplains and K2 between July and November 2021.

Temp Insp Dickenson said: "Durham Constabulary has requested that Durham County Council consider revocation of Mr McDonald's personal licence.

"Due to the evidence around the premises, the breach of licence conditions and the recent conviction, we have no faith in Mr McDonald being a proposed designated premise supervisor and upholding the crime and disorder prevention obejective.

"Our concerns are over the last 12 months. He's been the premise licence holder and had involvement in the premises when there have been all the failings."

Read more: Consett K2 The Union Bar and Chaplains fined for security failings

Mr McDonald told the committee the bars were running, abiding by conditions and correcting faults.

He said during the hearing: "I held my hands up when we got convicted and pleaded guilty straight away, knowing I'd done something wrong.

"Every time we've done anything in regards to an licence variation, extension or application, there's been an objection.

"We changed door companies in late August due to the problems with door staff.

"Since then every condition has been upheld to the best of our capabilities in both venues.

"We apologise if anything has been missed, and any time it has been noted and it has been faulted, we have corrected it with immediate effect."

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Council licensing team leader Helen Johnson said an enforcement team investigation into alleged breaches of conditions was ongoing: "I can't comment on what that progress is. It could lead to a prosecution. I don't know."

She added Mr McDonald's personal licence would be reviewed by the sub-committee in future.

Councillor Jan Blakey, chairing the sub-committee, announced their decision on the DPS application: "We are going to refuse on the grounds of crime and disorder objectives that will not be met because of the matters raised in the police report.

"We have no confidence that he can promote the crime and disorder objectives because of the recent criminal conviction."

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