CLEARED (From Barry And District News)

CLEARED

A FORMER nightclub manager has reported South Wales Police to the Independent Police Complaints Commission after they took him to court - for doing his job.

Wayne Takata, of Coleridge Crescent, Barry, was working as the manager of The Old Paget Inn on Barry Island when a police officer reported him for being an unlicensed doorman.

Wayne has not been allowed to work as a bouncer since December 2004 when a routine police check revealed a previous drugs conviction - which he freely admits.

However, on the night in question, Wayne said he was only on the door because one staff member hadn't turned up for work and the other was ill.

And on Friday, August 5, a District Judge sitting at Barry Magistrates' Court accepted his explanation - and dismissed the case outright.

The Judge said: "The incidents that arose were sudden and unexpected occurrences. You took steps as your role as manager of The Paget Inn, and you are therefore entitled to the benefit of the doubt."

Before the case was dismissed, Wayne had attended five court hearings at an estimated cost of £7,000 to the taxpayer.

He said: "I've said from the very beginning what a waste of taxpayers' money this was. "They (the police) have put me and my family through so much unnecessary stress."

Wayne has worked for most of his life - but since finishing at the Paget in May as a result of the impending court case, he has been unable to find alternative employment.

He said: "I've had lots of interviews, but when I tell potential employers what has happened, I never hear from them again - I don't even get a 'no thank you' letter. "I've applied for everything, from driving jobs to picking up litter, but no-one wants to know."

Wayne's girlfriend, Sharon Garland, used to stay at home to look after her three children - but because Wayne has been unable to get a job, she has been forced to go back to work.

She said: "I'm so annoyed over all of this. He was doing really well until all this - and for something that was totally unfounded.

"I've brought my kids up to respect the police," she added.

"But I'm really disillusioned now - how can I teach my kids to respect them if I can't respect them myself?"

Chief Inspector Nigel Lewis of Barry Police defended the Force's actions, saying: "The public have a right to be safe and feel safe in licensed premises in the Vale of Glamorgan.

"We will continue to work closely with the Security Industry Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure the highest standards are achieved by trained door supervisors.

"All prosecutions are reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service, and if they pass the relevant evidential and public interest tests, they will be then be put before the magistrates who will quite rightly decide on matters of fact."