Central Coast bar manager hit with $20,000 in fines

The manager of a Central Coast bar is facing almost $20,000 in fines and legal costs after allowing two underage girls on school work experience to serve alcohol.

Alain Alpha, the manager of Coast Bar & Restaurant in Gosford, was convicted of two counts of allowing minors to serve liquor and two counts of allowing an employee to sell liquor without RSA certification.

The conviction and fine followed an investigation by Liquor and Gaming NSW which included a review of CCTV footage – a screengrab of which is pictured above.

The footage showed the two girls, aged 16 and 17, serving alcohol to patrons. This was despite conditions of the work placement that prevented this, and the fact neither of the minors held RSA qualifications at the time of the placement.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance Operations, Sean Goodchild, said the incident showed a brazen disregard for measures that are meant to protect people from alcohol-related harm.

“Having minors serve alcohol without permission or the right training is highly irresponsible and puts both patrons and the young people at risk,” Goodchild said.

“Responsible service of alcohol is non-negotiable in licensed venues, regardless of whether someone is on work experience or a full-time employee.”

Under NSW liquor laws, it is illegal for minors to serve alcohol at a licensed venue unless approved by the Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA). The laws also require that staff have relevant competency cards or RSA certificates to serve alcohol.

Mr Alpha was sentenced in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on 8 May and was fined $2,500 and ordered to pay more than $17,000 in legal costs.