Pub penalised after drunk patron tries to bite paramedic

The licensee of the Palisade Hotel at Millers Point has been penalised for allowing two women patrons to become so intoxicated that they could not stand, with one woman needing to be sedated after she tried to bite a paramedic called to treat them.

The Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has issued a first strike against licensee Paulina Soto under the NSW Government’s Three Strikes disciplinary scheme for licensed venues.

The two middle-aged women arrived at the hotel on March 17, 2018 at 12.30pm for a St Patrick’s Day lunch and drank two bottles of wine over the next five hours.

At about 5.45pm in the bar area, they began drinking glasses of white wine in quick succession.

After falling to the ground when leaving a lift to the ground floor, the women were assisted by bystanders and the manager who called for an ambulance.

After two ambulances arrived to take the women to St Vincent’s Hospital, one of the women became aggressive and tried to bite a paramedic.

As a result, the woman needed to be sedated for the journey to hospital. The paramedic told police the woman’s behaviour was caused by her level of intoxication.

Police were also required to attend to deal with the intoxicated patrons and subsequently took action against the licensee for the offence of permitting intoxication.

Liquor & Gaming NSW Director of Compliance Operations, Sean Goodchild, said while alcohol-related violence of any kind is unacceptable, cases where the safety of paramedics is put at risk are particularly serious.

“In this case, the venue contributed to risk of harm by allowing two patrons to become so intoxicated they could not stand,” he said.

“Paramedics save people’s lives every day and should be shown the respect they deserve.”

The licensee of the Palisade Hotel has now incurred a first strike under the Three Strikes Scheme and will be subject to increased monitoring by Liquor & Gaming NSW.

ILGA is also seeking submissions on proposed remedial actions including requiring the licensee and all current staff to undertake a responsible service of alcohol (RSA) training course.

Venues that incur three strikes can face serious penalties including suspension and cancellation of licences.