Updated: 01/03/2014 13:45 | By Channel NewsAsia
Eatery owner charged over unlicensed alcohol sale
SINGAPORE: The owner of an eatery was on Friday charged with selling liquor without a valid licence.
The eatery is located along Jalan Besar, which falls within a designated zone with stricter alcohol regulations.
44-year-old Tan Suan Lee is accused of committing the offence on December 21, 2013 around 9.30pm.
He was not represented in court on Friday.
Tan's alleged offence was discovered during a check at his eatery, Prata City, conducted by the police.
Officers found that customers were being served alcohol although the eatery was not licensed to do so.
The check came amid heightened patrols in Little India following the December 8 riot to ensure compliance with the curbs on the sale and consumption of alcohol on weekends, public holidays and eve of public holidays.
During the short hearing which lasted only about five minutes, Tan told the court he intends to plead guilty.
His case was then adjourned to January 8 for his plea to be taken.
If found guilty, Tan could be fined up to S$5,000.
Another liquor store along Chander Road is being investigated by police after it was found to have sold a can of beer beyond the permitted hours.
Police said that since December 14, 32 persons have been issued advisories for drinking in public within the proclaimed area during prohibited times.
All of them have complied with police advice to stop drinking, and the alcohol in their possession was seized. - CNA/xq/gn
