A South Auckland liquor store manager who had his licence suspended after drunkenly assaulting his wife told authorities he was ''possessed'' by an evil spirit.

Police asked the Liquor Licensing Authority to suspend Sarbada Nand's general manager's certificate after he was convicted in the Manukau District Court in September of assaulting his wife.

The authority said Nand assaulted his wife in February last year and when police attended the incident he was ''very intoxicated''.

''While it was admitted by both Mr Nand and his wife that he had been drinking, they both believe that he was possessed of an evil spirit,'' a recent authority decision reads.

The authority said they had to decide whether the conduct of the manager showed he was not a suitable person to hold a general manager's certificate.

They noted that in many occupations off-duty conduct is ''commonly ignored'', but under the Sale of Liquor Act those holding liquor licences ''conduct and suitability'' could be examined at any time if matters were brought to the authorities attention.

The authority said a period of suspension was ''desirable'', as Nand ''did not appear to take any responsibility for his actions''.

Nand was issued with a general manager's certificate in 2005 which he had used at several premises including Otara's Shop N Save, where he was currently employed.

Nand told the authority he was concerned about the effect his suspension would have on his work, but the authority said it didn't prevent him from working, just being the on duty manager.

Nand had his licence suspended for 28 days from July 2.

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