HUGH WAYNE ANDERSON SHUT DOWN IN OXFORD AFTER SEX OFFENCES AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

An incident that has sent shockwaves through the Oxford community has resulted in the revocation of a local restaurateur's license to serve alcohol, following his conviction on serious sex offences. Hugh Wayne Anderson, the owner of the Hi Lo Jamaican Eating House situated on Cowley Road in Oxford, has been officially informed that he is no longer permitted to hold a 'personal licence' to serve alcohol at his establishment.

In a court ruling delivered in April, Anderson was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault committed against customers at his restaurant. The court sentenced him to a suspended prison term of 26 weeks, meaning he will serve time only if he commits further offences within a specified period. Additionally, Anderson has been registered as a sex offender for the next ten years, a designation that carries significant social and legal implications.

When approached by the BBC for comment, Anderson denied any allegations of misconduct. He also expressed his intention to reopen the restaurant, despite the legal and licensing setbacks. The Oxford City Council's licensing committee, which oversees the regulation of alcohol sales and licensing, reported that police investigations revealed the incidents occurred at Anderson’s restaurant in 2022.

According to police reports, during one of the incidents, Anderson made aggressive sexualized comments towards a female customer. In both cases, he physically assaulted women by touching them over their clothing. Law enforcement officials noted that the behavior appeared to be alcohol-related, suggesting intoxication may have played a role in his conduct.

A police submission detailed that a victim statement indicated that on the night of the incidents, the victim had spoken to door supervisors at the restaurant. The police report quoted the victim as saying, “Yeah he gets like this when he is drunk,” implying that similar behavior may have occurred on previous occasions. This revelation raised concerns about Anderson’s pattern of conduct and the safety of patrons at his establishment.

Based on these findings, police recommended that Anderson’s alcohol license be revoked. They cited 'serious exacerbating factors' and emphasized the importance of responsible alcohol service, especially given the nature of the offences. The police submission also criticized Anderson for failing to uphold the trust placed in him by responsible authorities, stating, “Mr Anderson has fallen short of the trust placed in him by responsible authorities.”

Following the decision, the restaurant has been listed as 'permanently closed' on online platforms, reflecting the official stance on its operational status. Despite this closure, Anderson maintains that he has plans to reopen the restaurant and continues to hold the right to serve food, although the license to serve alcohol has been revoked and the establishment remains under scrutiny.