Off-licence was being 'used as gang's base'

An off-licence that police believe has been used as a gang's "base" has had its licence revoked after a committee heard it had been used for drug dealing.

The force told Stevenage Borough Council there was evidence of drug use, anti-social behaviour and confrontation between rival gangs connected to Oval Wines, at The Oval shopping precinct in the town.

The solicitor for licence holder Emrah Oruc said there was "no evidence" of drug sales in the shop and that the owner had "limited responsibility" for what happened outside the premises.

The council's licensing committee heard that Hertfordshire County Council's trading standards team had also seized illegal cigarette cartons and found Viagra jellies that should only have been available from pharmacists.

The committee heard how Hertfordshire Police officers using drug wipes found cocaine residue on the shop's counters.

Councillors were shown footage of a confrontation on 30 August.

Police senior licensing officer Gill Akroyd said: "During the incident, in which machetes were seen, gang members were able to hide in the shop and use the rear door as an escape route."

Officers also found items on sale that they believed were intended to be used to store drugs, such as "very small, self-sealing type bags" and "bags with a Bob Marley picture printed on them".

Mr Oruc's solicitor told the hearing "we do not understand" how traces of drugs were found on the counter, and that the bags that were seized were "sold across the country".

The police application to review the licence said: "Members of The Oval 'gang' use this as their hub, and constantly frequent the shop and gather in close proximity outside."

It said the men were "causing distress and anti-social behaviour" in the area when they met in groups of "as many as 20 to 30 people".

When police requested CCTV from the shop, which is a condition of its licence, it was unavailable.

However, Mr Oruc's solicitor told the hearing the CCTV had not been working at the time, but it had since been replaced and was working again.

His solicitor also put forward an updated licence proposal, but councillors rejected his arguments and revoked the existing licence.

Oval Wine's licence was previously reviewed in 2023 after then licence holder Emrah Demirci was convicted of rape.

The licence was transferred to Mr Oruc who has the right to appeal against this decision at magistrates' court.

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