INUVIK - For the second time in as many months The Mad Trapper Lounge had its liquor licence suspended.

The NWT Liquor Licensing Board found the bar guilty of serving alcohol to an intoxicated person and not properly caring for the individual, under Sections 93 and 92 of the NWT Liquor Act, and handed down a five-day suspension and a $2,000 fine at a hearing in Inuvik in late June.

The Mad Trapper Lounge was closed from July 21 to 27 for serving alcohol to an intoxicated patron. In May the lounge was shut down for two days for failing to properly deal with a drunken patron. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

The bar closed its doors from July 21 to 27.

Don Kindt, chair of the licensing board, said the violation occurred on May 3 at about 1:30 a.m. when the intoxicated man mas spotted by a local RCMP officer and auxiliary officer. The latter testified at the hearing that the man "took several tries before he could pick up the bottle."

The Trapper presented three witnesses whose written statements proved inconsistent with testimony given under oath, said Kindt.

The bar was closed last May for two days and fined $500 after a police officer found a man drunk and unsupervised at the bar.

The act states that a drinking establishment must not only stop serving alcohol to an intoxicated patron but also supervise the individual until the person can be escorted home safely.

"It's all about supervision, whether the supervision is appropriate or not, that's what all these liquor cases boil down to," said Kindt.

Kindt said the severity of the sentence was influenced by the fact that the bar is a repeat offender.

Const. Noella Cockney said she wasn't aware that the bar had closed, although she added she's concerned about the charges. She said the Inuvik RCMP detachment makes routine checks at the establishment throughout the week.

"All the members are pretty much concerned about that," she said. "It's very troubling that they are overserving and serving to individuals that are intoxicated."