Yellowknife (Mar 22/04) - The Gold Range bar was slapped with a $1,500 fine Friday, following a seven-hour hearing in front of the Liquor Licensing Board.

The board found the bar had violated the liquor act by allowing entry to an intoxicated patron on the night of Nov. 1, 2003.

Even with the hefty fine, sanctions against the Gold Range weren't as severe as others recently handed out, such as an 18-day closure for The Right Spot - because the board determined the customer had been not served any alcohol.

According to testimony in the case, the intoxicated patron -- spotted by a liquor inspector at around 7:15 p.m. -- had been escorted out of the bar earlier in the evening for being drunk.

Defence attorney Austin Marshall suggested the man snuck back in through the bar's rear entrance while the bouncers were occupied with other matters.

Before the hearing got underway, Gold Range lawyer Austin Marshall asked to have the session postponed because of a problem with a notice the board sent out advising the bar of the hearing.

According to Marshall, the board didn't specify whether or not the Range's license was up for suspension or cancellation, as mandated by the act. But the board, which goes into hearings without knowing the facts of the case, said a predetermination of sentence would be prejudicial.

Since Marshall's application was rejected, he said there was a possibility the board's decision could be appealed to the Supreme Court.