A Moray takeaway has been prohibited from staying open late after repeatedly breaking the licensing rules.
The operator of the Sunset Takeaway in Keith, Mirza Taher, has twice been fined after police saw the premises open and staff serving customers beyond its licensed hours.
Yesterday, Sergeant Kim Wood told Moray Council’s licensing committee that the businessman had demonstrated a “blatant disregard” for the regulations.
Residents who live near the Mid Street takeaway asked for an application to allow the premises to stay open beyond 11pm to be rejected.
Linda Stewart said: “Keith is a family town and this is a residential area. There is a lot of noise form the premises and a lot of rubbish is deposited on doorsteps.
“People can get access to the rear of the buildings where they congregate, make noise and do other things as well.”
Sgt Wood revealed that Mr Taher was fined £200 at Elgin Justice of the Peace Court in January 2015 for staying open late before being fined a further £300 in December 2016 for the same offence.
The police officer also highlighted four further incidents between May, 2014 and November, 2017 where they saw the takeaway open beyond its licensed hours, but no prosecution followed.
She added: “He has shown a blatant disregard for the licensing regulations and, in the view of the police, is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence.”
Mr Taher was not present at yesterday’s meeting. But Moray Council officers explained that two letters had been sent to the businessman and he had told them by telephone that he would attend.