A PARMELIA man who has been banned from going into any pub for five years has denied he is a troublemaker.
Zarko Rajakovic was served with a prohibition notice on Tuesday after Police Commissioner Karl O’Callaghan applied to have him banned from entering any licensed premises because of alleged violence against pub patrons.
Director of Liquor Licensing Barry Sargeant agreed to the order, which is believed to be the first of its type issued to an individual.
“I am satisfied that it is in the public interest to prohibit Mr Zarko Rajakovic from entering any licensed premises for a period of five years from the date of the order,” Mr Sargeant said in a media release.
Mr Rajakovic received written notice on April 28 the ban was being considered and was invited to make a submission.
“No submission was received from Mr Rajakovic, however, in a telephone conversation with Mr Rajakovic, he advised that he was not a troublemaker,” Mr Sargeant said.
Mr Rajakovic told inmycommunity.com.au he was angry and shocked at the ban.
“I don't drink,” he said. “I don't think that I have a problem with alcohol.”
Mr Rajakovic said he had been victimised and that he “knew the person who was behind it”.
“I've never heard about anyone getting one of these,” he said.
Mr Rajakovic said when he received the prohibition order in April he did not do anything about it because he did not think he could be banned from licensed premises.
Liquor Enforcement Unit Licensing Division Senior Sergeant Kevin Taylor said prohibition orders were not easy to activate.
Sen Sgt Taylor said WA Police had developed parameters to use the legislation and several applications had been made to the Director of Liquor Licensing.
There were several one punch or glassing-type offences that had given rise to applications, he said.
Cockburn publican David Strom, who runs The Gate Bar and Bistro, said the prohibition notices should be handed out more often to punters who were aggressive when they drank.
“As an operator I think that people in the community who don’t handle aggression and alcohol well should receive prohibition notices,” Mr Strom said.
“Especially if they are not acting in the best interests of the community who are out to have a good time and are being responsible.
“If the prohibition orders are relatively easy to activate then venue owners would be asking the law enforcement to act on them.”
He said that having spent 30 years in the hospitality industry, he regularly came across people who should not drink alcohol as it led to them becoming violent.
Mr Strom had not called on police to issue a prohibition order on any customers at his venue, but said he would not hesitate to do so if the situation arose.
“The prohibition notices would make people realise that they are not welcome here if they cause trouble for our customers or staff,” Mr Strom said.