Glen Ciantar the 18-year old owner of Chequers club in Paceville was fined over €2,000 for admitting minors under 17 into the club on June 22 of last year.

Magistrate Ian Farrugia heard how underage teens were not asked for any identification when entering the club with two teachers after the group of seven students from St. Albert the Great school of Valletta went to Chequers after celebrating their graduating ceremony at the Corinthia Hotel.

A 16 year old witness explained how the bouncers did not ask for identity cards but in the same evening police officers asked the teens for identification and took their particulars when it resulted they were under 17.

Another witness, also aged 16 said that at about midnight she was with her friends at Bay Street when her mother called her saying she was waiting for her near Chequers. When the witness got to Chequers and did not see her mother she went in the club to look for her and an officer took her particulars as soon as she exited the same club.

The Court held that the security personnel at the club were too lenient and never asked for identification cards. Magistrate Farrugia fined the owner €500 and a further €233 for every student under 17 who had entered the club.

Lawyer Joseph Giglio appeared for the accused while the prosecution was led by Inspector Trevor Micallef prosecuted.