Coffs venue fined after intoxication charges

Coffs venue convicted for allowing the intoxication of a Coffs Harbour man who died during an altercation with a man in 2013.

IN 2013, the Coffs Coast community woke to the tragic news that a 34-year-old father-of-four, Scott Snodgrass, had died after receiving head injuries in an altercation with a 21-year-old man in Coffs Harbour's CBD.

More than two years later, the popular venue Snodgrass had attended earlier in the night has been fined for allowing his intoxication.

Cheralex Holdings Pty Ltd, which trades under the name of The Coast Hotel, appeared before the Coffs Harbour Local Court this morning, pleading guilty on the charge of permitting intoxication on licensed premises.

Prosecution told the court that shortly before 10pm on May 17, 2013, Snodgrass had arrived at the Coast Hotel - where he was a former employee - after attending another licensed venue in Coffs Harbour.

The court heard that Snodgrass had consumed alcohol at the Coast Hotel over the course of several hours. Witness statements described his demeanour as "noticeably affected by alcohol."

The court was told that Snodgrass had not been asked to leave the venue by staff or security, nor was he refused the service of liquor.

CCTV footage showed that Snodgrass had been served at least nine beverages by staff, before he left the venue at 12:53am on May 18.

Snodgrass was later involved in an altercation in Grafton St where he sustained head injuries which had resulted in his death.

Blood samples taken from Snodgrass at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus indicated a blood alcohol level of between 0.214 and 0.234

Magistrate Robert Walker fined Cheralex Holdings $1100 and ordered a conviction to be recorded.

Also charged with permitting intoxication on licensed premises for the same matter was the venue's manager, James Marriott, 30.

Magistrate Walker handed Marriott a 12-month good behaviour bond with no conviction recorded.