Derby, a quaint town in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, recently witnessed a legal showdown that left the local pub operators on an “emotional rollercoaster.
” Emanuel Brian Dillon, the director of two pubs in Derby – Spinifex Hotel and Boab Inn – found himself entangled in a legal battle after being slapped with fines exceeding $140,000 for alleged breaches of the Liquor Control Act.
The saga began when a complaint lodged by the commissioner of police in 2021 revealed staggering violations. Police uncovered a total of 2,725 breaches committed between 2019 and 2021 across the two establishments under Dillon’s purview. These infractions primarily revolved around flouting liquor restrictions enforced at that time and incidents reported to law enforcement.
Following a hearing by three liquor commission members in 2022, a verdict was delivered in December 2024. The Spinifex Hotel and Boab Inn were found guilty of contravening liquor regulations and faced hefty fines totaling $90,000. Additionally, Dillon was personally fined $50,000 as the venue director.
However, hope flickered back to life for Dillon and his team when they successfully appealed the ruling at the WA Supreme Court. Their plea hinged on grounds of being denied “
procedural fairness,
” pointing out that one crucial member involved in the final decision-making process was absent during key hearings.
In a surprising turn of events on May 22nd, Justice Stephen Lemonis granted their appeal citing lack of notice about changes within the commission panel. This lack of transparency compromised their ability to address concerns adequately during proceedings. A jubilant Dillon expressed his relief stating, “
I was clearly and obviously relieved that we can try and get back on with business.
”
Despite this legal victory clearing them from financial penalties worth $140,000; there remains an impending cloud looming over Spinifex Holdings. The company faces additional scrutiny for potential illegal gains amassed during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020—further highlighting their tumultuous journey through legal hurdles.
As emotions continue to run high post-verdict, Dillon reflected on the toll this ordeal took on him personally: “
The past two years have been an emotional roller-coaster… It’s been really hard to run a business in [Derby] with this over my head.
” The financial burden extended beyond just fines as he disclosed spending over $150K solely on legal fees without any hope for reimbursement.
Looking ahead optimistically yet cautiously towards rebuilding trust within the community post-acquittal; Dillon emphasized their eagerness to reinvest resources back into Derby’s growth – hoping for local support as they navigate this period of transition: “
We’re hopeful locals give us another chance… We can start investing back in Derby as we did in the past.”
While uncertainties still linger regarding potential future actions against Spinifex Holdings; one thing is certain—the spirit of resilience shines bright among Derby’s pub operators amidst this legal storm. With renewed vigor post-trials, they stand ready to chart new beginnings and rewrite their narrative within Derby’s vibrant hospitality landscape.
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