A RESTAURATEUR has been hit with an expensive bill for failing to get a music licence for his premises.

Hakim Mallem, who runs La Notte restaurant in Petts Wood Road, Petts Wood, was caught by a Performing Right Society (PRS) inspector playing music at the premises without a licence.

London High Court heard although a judge had banned music from the premises until Mallem brought his licence fees up to date, he had continued to play music in the restaurant.

Mr Justice Norris said Mallem had been "cocking a snook at the court" and he had seriously considered a suspended jail order.

However, the court heard Mallem apologised for breaching the ruling made in March and had now paid £1,025 for a licence to play background music.

He had also agreed to pay the PRS's £25,145 legal costs - paying £5,000 immediately and the rest by monthly instalments of between £1,000 and £1,500.

Mallem was warned he could be brought back to court and then face jail if he did not do what he had promised.

The PRS is a non-profit making organisation which collects licence fees for public performances of music.

It then distributes the cash among composers and music publishers.

A PRS spokesman said: "A licence is required for any event except a family or domestic gathering, such as a wedding reception or birthday party."

Mallem's uncle, Omar Rahim, who manages the restaurant, said: "It's already been paid. We don't deny there was music here but we thought Hakim wasn't liable because he is the landlord but now it seems he was responsible.

"We thought only the company was responsible and so the company offered to pay."