Bar that served killer driver will fight for licence | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

THE OWNER of a Rolleston bar that served drinks to a man before he drove and killed a cyclist says staff offered him a courtesy car - but he told them he was getting a ride.

Police have lodged an application to the Liquor Licensing Authority to either revoke or suspend the liquor licence held by The Rock Restaurant and Bar over the incident.

But bar co-owner Mark Cowan says they will fight it.

The application relates to the actions of staff while Phillip Hamilton, 40, was drinking at the establishment on August 6 last year.

Hamilton, who drank about 10 pints of beer over a four-hour period, was seen slumped at the bar before he got behind the wheel and struck Jens Richardon, killing him instantly. He then drove away from the scene.

Police investigated the actions of the staff at The Rock after Hamilton was sentenced in February to 12 months' home detention and was disqualified from driving for three years.

Police say the bar breached conditions of its liquor licence.

Mr Cowan, who has owned The Rock with his partner for more than six years, said staff offered Hamilton and his brother a courtesy car twice.

"We felt we'd done everything we could," he said. "We found out they were brothers and where they lived (Southbridge). They said. 'It's too far away'. We said, 'Look, we'd rather get you home safely.'"

Hamilton was refused drinks after he was seen to be falling asleep over the bar.

Mr Cowan said Hamilton had told staff he had been up all night doing shift work.

"It was tiredness more than drunkeness," Mr Cowan said.

"He was quite a reasonable drinker. I think for him it (10 pints) wasn't that many beers."

Mr Cowan said at the end of the night Hamilton and his brother told staff they were getting a ride home.

"His brother said, 'I'll get him home', " Mr Cowan said.

Mr Cowan said Hamilton's brother had drank less, and showed no signs of intoxication.

Mr Cowan said, after Hamilton's brother assisted him out of the bar, the pair loitered in the car park for up to an hour - appearing like they were waiting for a ride.

In that time the pair made purchases at the supermarket and bottle store.

Mr Cowan said bar staff were "totally shocked" when they later heard about the crash, and that Hamilton was driving.

"The indications were they weren't driving," he said. "It's the worst nightmare. I feel very sorry for the widow."

He said The Rock prided itself on its courtesy car and intolerance for intoxication on its premises, and they had a lot of local support.

"I feel they've (staff) done everything right. I'm backing them."

"We've gone over it to see if we could do anything differently."

Mr Cowan said Hamilton was not a regular at the bar.

The joint application - between police, the Selwyn District Council licensing inspector and a medical officer of health - will be heard on September 6.

Sergeant Al Lawn said the police alleged a number of breaches of the liquor licence, but would not reveal details of the allegations.

He said those details would be made public at the hearing.