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Takeaway branded worst in Blackpool
A TAKEAWAY which was at the centre of Blackpool's biggest ever murder probe has been banned from serving food late at night amid allegations young girls are being lured to the premises.
Blackpool Council revoked the premises licence at Mr Beanz on Dickson Road – which formerly traded as Funny Boyz – after being told crime levels were three times higher than other takeaways in the town centre.
Councillors were also told there had been allegations made of inappropriate behaviour with young girls.
Funny Boyz was searched by police during the investigation into the disappearance of 14-year-old Charlene Downes.
The St George's High School pupil disappeared in November 2003. She has never been seen or heard from since.
Licence holder Mohammad Reveshi, who in 2008 was acquitted of helping to dispose of Charlene's body, told yesterday's licensing hearing at Blackpool Town Hall police had asked for the licence to be reviewed as part of a "vendetta" against him and his business partner Iyad Albattikhi.
Mr Albattikhi was cleared of murdering Charlene.
Mr Reveshi said: "It's all a vendetta. I'm the licensee and I'm doing my best to manage the place."
But earlier, the licensing panel heard evidence of high levels of crime happening in the early hours of the morning.
In the 12 months leading up to March 31 this year, Funny Boyz had accounted for 65 per cent of all crimes committed at four late-night takeaways on Dickson Road which was more than three times the level seen at any of the other venue.
Nine violent offences had been committed in the last 12 months with most incidents happening between 9pm and 1am, and 4am and 6am.
They included police reports of mass brawls and drunk and disorderly customers.
A report before councillors said there had been "allegations made by a number of young girls that they have met Mr Albattikhi at Funny Boyz, where they have been supplied alcohol and cocaine."
Solicitor Anthony Horne, representing Blackpool Police, described the venue, which changed its name from Funny Boyz to Mr Beanz six weeks ago, as having a "honeypot effect."
He said: "One of our concerns is this pattern of young girls being attracted to the premises because they are open late, and being supplied with alcohol and cocaine."
Referring to the high level of recorded crime, he said: "There is no other takeaway in the whole of Blackpool that comes anywhere near this level of incidents."
He added CCTV cameras at the premises did not work properly.
But Mr Reveshi claimed police had called for the licence review because of the failed Charlene Downes investigation.
He said: "This is the background, but please leave us alone. We aren't doing anything wrong. If there is any evidence of criminal activity, charge us."
He added: "We are the victim, not the villain and we're saying to the committee, give us a chance."
Mr Reveshi said they had recently changed the name of the venue in a bid to shake off the takeaway's reputation.
Referring to the allegations girls were being lured to the premises, he said: "Young girls come here, that applies to any business of this nature and this is not an exception."
The licensing panel agreed to revoke the licence which means the venue cannot serve hot refreshments between 11pm and 5am.
Management has 21 days in which to challenge the decision and can operate as normal until any appeal is decided.
A council statement said: "The committee is concerned at the level of incidents of recorded crime at the premises, in particular those relating to violent crime."
It added the licensing committee was "greatly concerned with the evidence relating to young females and allegations made by some of them regarding sexual activity and drug and alcohol use."
In 2008, Mr Albattikhi and Mr Reveshi were both acquitted of charges relating to Charlene's disappearance.
The Independent Police Complaint Commissions later found part of the police investigation – which centred on the use of covert surveillance tapes – was " handled poorly and unprofessionally".
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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