The director of Special Ops Gibraltar is facing a court hearing after allegedly failing to procure an appropriate license for his business.

Blythe Reeve, who brought the ‘Lazer Tag’ game to Gibraltar, had to cease trading in October last year after a grace period for working without a license lapsed. Mr Reeve is accused of failing to pay his business license fee. The matter was publicized on local social media via a widely shared video in which Mr Reeve expressed his dissatisfaction with the relevant authorities.

The Business Licensing Authority (the Office of Fair Trading), together with the RGP, Gibraltar Tourist Board and the Ministry of Environment, Heritage and Climate Change, put forward a number of recommendations for the business.

Some of the conditions which Mr Reeve had to adhere to were put forward by the Business Licensing Authority with advice from the Royal Gibraltar Police, including that those taking part couldn’t wear military uniforms and had to wear clearly identifiable clothing. It was also stipulated that ‘Lazer Tag’ games could only be played in a closed location and that the use of explosives and pyrotechnics be prohibited (specifically the misuse of flares). It was also a condition that the RGP had to receive 48 hours written notice of any events and an undertaking that the RGP retain the authority to prohibit any events or activity.

Mr Reeve told the Crown that the conditions were so stringent that they would prevent him from conducting his business.

Giving evidence at the Magistrates’ Court today, Inspector Brian Finlayson from the RGP said that although the RGP hadn’t received a lot of complaints from members of the public, the RGP was concerned that members of the public might see people dressed in camouflage clothing and running around with laser guns may think it’s something more “sinister” because of the current security climate.

Stipendiary Magistrate Charles Pitto also heard from Francis Muscat, CEO of the Office of Fair Trading, as well as Senior Environmental Officer Stephen Warr and Dr Liesel Mesilio Torres, CEO at the Ministry of Environment, Heritage and Climate Change, and Suyenne Catania, senior product manager at the GTB.

The hearing has been adjourned until Thursday 9^th February.

Robert Fischel QC appeared for the Crown.

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