Birmingham shop facing attempted rape allegation refused alcohol licence despite changing hands

A corner shop in Stirchley, Birmingham has been refused an alcohol licence because police think it would pose a risk to the community.

Diva Convenience used to go by the name of Selly Acre News until it changed hands following an alleged attempted rape of a child on the premises in September.

Its new proprietor, Mr Sellvathamny Paskaran, applied for a licence to sell booze and insisted the previous management will have no involvement in the running of the business.

However, police have observed that the previous licence-holder is the person leasing the property to Mr Paskaran and requested a document to prove the handover of the business but were not satisfied with the materials provided.

A licensing subcommittee report reads: “There was nothing to properly confirm a genuine separation between the previous operator and the new applicant.

“The lease document on its own was completely unsatisfactory in terms of safe trading, as it did not confirm a proper separation between the applicant and the previous operator.

“Whilst [Mr Paskaran’s solicitor] had assured the subcommittee that Mr Paskaran was a suitable person, it was not something that the subcommittee felt able to take on trust, even though there was no reason to doubt the applicant’s personal suitability.

“The subcommittee found it perfectly proper that the police had wanted the applicant to show that the business arrangements had been regularised via a proper contract and a documented money transfer.

“This was essential in order that all parties could see that the business arrangements were in order.”

Following the attempted rape allegations Selly Acre News was subjected to council scrutiny and Birmingham Trading Standards revealed that it also received a complaint in January 2022 that tobacco was being sold at £2.50 above the usual price.

A member of the public also stated: “All the local alcoholics are drinking at the store like it’s a bar.”

Worried parents also wrote to councillors expressing their concerns due to the shop’s close proximity to Selly Park Girls’ School.

One parent wrote: “I’m a parent of a child who goes to Selly Park Girls’ School and I’m really concerned with the situation that is going on with this shop.

“For a long time, we parents asked the school to take some action regarding people that spend time outside the school and are clearly under the influence of alcohol.

“We were worried about our children’s safety as we witnessed some antisocial behaviour.

“Now it became clear why we had some many drunk people outside the school – they were purchasing and consuming alcohol outside the shop/school occupying the benches and laying on the grass behind the bus shelter.”

Police say investigations into the alleged attempted rape are ongoing.