Bar 'failed to supervise' killer driver

Photo / Sarah Ivey

A bar that served 13 drinks to a man before he killed a cyclist in a hit-and-run crash failed to adequately supervise his drinking, or stop him getting behind the wheel.

The owner of the bar in Canterbury was even drinking with driver Phillip Hamilton before the driver staggered out of the premises.

But in spite of having "failed badly", The Rock Restaurant and Bar in Rolleston could not be held directly responsible for cyclist Jens Richardon's death, the Liquor Licensing Authority has determined.

Details of the authority hearing released to the Star in Christchurch show The Rock failed to properly supervise Hamilton, then 40, while he was drinking at the establishment on August 6 last year - before he struck and killed Mr Richardon, a German PhD student, in Leeston.

The authority has ordered a suspension of the bar's licence for three days because of its failures that day.

Hamilton was controversially sentenced to 12 months' home detention in February after pleading guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol causing death and failing to stop for an injury accident.

Details of the Liquor Licensing Authority's decision, dated October 14, found there was no one qualified with a general manager's certificate working at the bar while Hamilton and his brother were drinking there.

- APN