Nottingham Bar Manager Hosted Cannabis Party

31 January 2015, 07:11 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A Nottingham bar manager has been jailed for 10 months after police caught him holding a cannabis party.

Nottinghamshire Police did a routine check of the Loft Bar, in Mansfield Road, on Friday 20 December 2013 when they found the party was happening. 

45-year-old Hugh John McGee was arrested and the bar was closed.

Further enquiries by police found McGee had also been selling alcohol outside of his licensed hours. 

McGee pleaded guilty to the offences previously at Nottingham Crown Court, and on Tuesday 27 January he was sentenced to 10 months. 

PC Jon Stevens, of the Force’s city licensing team, said: “There are strict laws in place in a bid to regulate licensed venues in this country, but it is not difficult to operate within these laws.

“Most premises owners and managers are conscientious, law-abiding members of the business community who make a vital contribution to the thriving social life of Nottingham. McGee was an exception, thinking that hosting an illicit cannabis party was an acceptable business practice. He has paid the price with a criminal conviction and jail term.

“We work closely with our partners at the local authority, as well as with licence holders and their bar and security staff, to ensure premises remain safe places for those who live, work and visit our city.

“This recent result demonstrates that if you deviate from the law, putting the public at risk, we will do all we can to bring you before the courts.”