Licensee banned after patron with a blood alcohol level of 0.33 falls and suffers head injury

The former licensee of a Tamworth Hotel has been banned from holding a liquor licence for one year after a heavily intoxicated patron was placed in an induced coma after he fell and hit his head.

The incident occurred at the Southgate Inn Hotel at Tamworth when the man was served around 16 alcoholic beverages over a five-hour period and then allowed to buy a bottle of rum from the hotel’s bottle shop.  A short time later the man fell outside the premises and emergency services were called.  He was transported to Tamworth Base Hospital with multiple injuries including a head laceration. His blood alcohol level was 0.33, nearly seven times the legal driving limit. He left the hospital following medical assistance. 

Liquor & Gaming NSW (L&GNSW) investigated a complaint that alleged employees of the hotel sold and supplied the liquor that led to the intoxication and continued serving alcohol despite clear signs of intoxication, breaching Responsible Sale of Alcohol (RSA) obligations. 

L&GNSW Executive Director Regulatory Operations, Dimitri Argeres, said this behaviour by bar staff posed a serious risk of harm to the patron and is ultimately the responsibility of the licensee. 

“It is important that licensees and venue managers train their staff and have procedures in place to ensure the responsible service of alcohol. Licensees must ensure their venue operates safely, even when they are not present,” Mr Argeres said. 

“Liquor & Gaming NSW compliance officers regularly visit licensed venues across the state to ensure they are complying with their RSA requirements and investigate reports they receive. This includes covert checks and working with licensees to ensure there is appropriate supervision at venues. 

“Apart from breaking the law, the actions of hotel staff in this instance put the patron at risk of significant harm which led to serious injury. As this case shows, venues that fail to abide by RSA requirements can expect to be caught and face significant consequences.” 

The NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority (ILGA) has disqualified the licensee from holding a licence, or from being the manager of licensed premises or the close associate of a licensee for a period of 12 months. The hotel’s liquor licence has been transferred to a new licensee since the incident in 2023. ILGA’s decision report on the matter is available here.   

A similar incident occurred at a different hotel in Newcastle, with the former licensee of a Newcastle hotel was banned in 2024 from holding a liquor licence for two years after an intoxicated patron was served the equivalent of more than 35 standard drinks despite falling several times in the bar. More details are available here. 

A L&GNSW fact sheet to assist venues managing intoxicated patrons on premises can be found here.

Liquor & Gaming NSW, 24^th January 2026