Four Individuals Prosecuted for Licensing Offences in South Oxhey

Operators of Prestwick Food and Wine and South Oxhey News Express, located on Prestwick Road, were found by St Albans Magistrates’ Court to have failed for not having a valid licence to sell alcohol on the premises after their premises licence holder had passed away in May 2023.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, a premises licence lapses upon the death of the licence holder, and a new application to transfer the licence must be made within 28 days.

After the council became aware of the situation last year, officers found that Mr Mavji Bhudia, of Harrow – the father of the deceased licence holder and owner of the businesses – along with his son Mr Dilip Bhudia, also from Harrow, failed to inform the council, as the Licensing Authority, of the licence holder’s passing and continued to sell alcohol unlawfully.

In addition, Mr Surjya Dehuri, the manager at South Oxhey News Express, and Mr Shashikant Vishram Patel, the Designated Premises Supervisor at Premier Food and Wine, also failed to notify the council.

Court Proceedings and Outcomes

• Mr Surjya Dehuri and Mr Shashikant Vishram Patel both pleaded guilty at St Albans Magistrates' Court on 2 July 2025. Mr Dehuri was fined £800, ordered to pay a £320 victim surcharge and £285 in costs.  Mr Patel was fined £1,200, with a £480 victim surcharge and £285 in costs.
• Mr Dilip Bhudia pleaded not guilty and appeared at St Albans Magistrates' Court on 5 August 2025, where he was found guilty of six separate licensing offences. He was fined a total of £2,000, ordered to pay £2,148 in costs, and a £800 victim surcharge.
• Mr Mavji Bhudia pleaded guilty to two separate licensing offences at a hearing on 10 September 2025. He was fined £800 for each offence, with a £640 victim surcharge and £1,695 in costs.

During sentencing, the Magistrates stated that Mr Bhudia, as the business owner and overall manager, had shown a reckless disregard for licensing laws. They noted his actions had caused wider harm to the community by undermining the principles of the Licensing Act and stressed it was his responsibility to ensure the premises operated legally.

Cllr Sarah Nelmes, Deputy Leader of Three Rivers District Council and Lead Member for General Public Services, said:

"Licensed premises have a legal responsibility to operate in full compliance with licensing laws, including notifying the council of any change in licence holders.

“In this case, the individuals involved demonstrated a blatant disregard for their legal obligations, despite the premises having long-standing licences and one offender being a personal licence holder himself.

“We do not take prosecutions lightly. However, due to the serious nature of the offences and after a full investigation and legal advice, the Council had no option but to pursue prosecution.

“These convictions should serve as a strong reminder that licensing laws are in place to protect the public, and we will not hesitate to take action where they are ignored.”