A pub manager could be removed from her position after a counterfeit DVD seller was found trading on the premises.

Karen McPhillips, premises supervisor at The Sun, in Sun Street Waltham Abbey, is facing a hearing of Epping Forest District Council’s licensing committee tomorrow.

It follows concerns raised by Trading Standards officials.

They say their department received intelligence that an unnamed illegal trader was being permitted to sell counterfeit goods in the premises.

On March 15 police and council officers visited the pub and said they found a section at the end of the restaurant partitioned off with folding doors.

It is then claimed they found a man who was believed to be selling DVDs and he was arrested.
Police confirmed that this was not the man they were originally looking for, but described him as a repeat offender.

The hearing will include evidence from the pub, police and Trading Standards officers.
In written evidence, Trading Standards Officer Steve Lynch said: “Essex Trading Standards has been investigating the market.

“More recently this department received three pieces of intelligence that this activity had relocated to the premises of The Sun pub.”

“The issues at the pub appear to be as a direct result of poor management.

“Perhaps the removal of Karen McPhillips as the Designated Premises Supervisor may be an appropriate and proportionate way forward.”

Peter Jones, Epping Forest Licensing Officer for Essex Police, said he believes the manager of the pub had full knowledge of illegal activity.

“Essex Police fully supports the review and [proposed] sanction imposed by the Licensing Sub-Committee.

“A crime has been committed at these premises, and as [the accused] was hiring out the room where counterfeit DVDs were being sold, she in turn has profited from the illegal activity.”

The committee will hear the evidence during a meeting at 10am tomorrow at the civic offices.