A CONVENIENCE shop in Brynmawr will be required to change its licensee following the employment of an illegal worker.

Blaenau Gwent council’s statutory licensing sub-committee met this week to determine whether the situation at GV Supermarket in King Street undermined a licensing objective to prevent crime and disorder.

The store’s license holder, Gurpreet Singh Bath, attended the meeting.

Ryan Moore, an immigration officer representing the Home Office, told the sub-committee that a civil penalty payment had been received, acknowledging guilt for employing the illegal worker.

“The owner stated that he had not conducted the necessary right to work checks to determine the subject was allowed to work in the UK, showing a complete disregard to UK legislation,” said Mr Moore.

Representing Mr Bath, Kevan Hines described the situation as “unusual”.

“The individual was actually here legally. He was an overstayer though,” said Mr Hines, adding that the civil penalty fee paid following a visit to GV Supermarket by the Home Office immigration enforcement team in September last year was £7,000.

The solicitor added that the overstayer, who came on a tourist visa, “drifted” into the working arrangement, helping to load or unload a van.

“It is accepted that he did some work on that basis. It is also accepted that he was given some money,” added Mr Hines.

Cllr Derrick Bevan, who chaired the sub-committee, asked about the status of the illegal worker and whether he was still residing in Brynmawr.

“No he isn’t,” said Mr Hines. “He was taken by the immigration authorities to Colnbrook.”

However, the immigration officer told the sub-committee that the overstayer had applied for immigration bail, using King Street as his address.

Mr Hines said that the illegal worker had not returned though and had in effect breached his bail.

Martin Woodland, the council’s solicitor, issued the outcome of the sub-committee’s decision which removed Mr Bath as the designated premises supervisor (DPS).

The sub-committee ruled that the license holder must carefully check legal entitlement to work in the UK going forward.