'Violent doorman and Stanley knife stabbing': Why Met Police want North London pub shut down

A North London pub could have its licence revoked after a doorman was seen on CCTV beating a member of the public and a punter was stabbed inside the venue after giving security the slip. Met Police officers criticised the 'poor control and management' of Erin's Hope, on Edgware Road in Colindale, Brent, after CCTV showed a doorman 'assaulting' a member of the public, which left the victim with 'head injuries and visible bleeding'.

The pub will have its licence reviewed by Brent Council after police officers submitted the request, saying that without intervention, 'further serious incidents are likely to occur'. Officers pointed to two incidents that have taken place at the pub over the past five months as evidence of licence breaches by the manager, John Flaherty.

Police allege an altercation on October 13 constitutes 'violent disorder involving an assault perpetrated by a trained and licensed Security Industry Authority (SIA) door supervisor', who reacted 'violently and inappropriately'. Just after midnight, a member of the public called the police to report the incident.

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Officers were told one of the door staff had 'forcefully struck' a man and pushed him to the ground, resulting in 'head injuries and visible bleeding'. CCTV footage showed the doorman and another male 'appeared to be arguing' before the SIA 'assumed a fighting stance, raising both fists in preparation for physical confrontation', according to the officers' report.

The victim was then said to have turned away from the security personnel 'seemingly unwilling to engage further'. At this point, footage showed how the doorman 'charged at him', struck the back of his head with both hands and knocked him down. The victim 'fell headfirst into nearby railings' before the doorman continued to assault him while he was on the ground, according to the report. Mr Flaherty was not aware of the incident prior to being contacted by the police but after seeing the CCTV footage accepted that the doorman had 'not acted correctly' and he said he was 'shocked' by his actions.

Man stabbed in chest after suspect slipped away from door staff

Officers were called to another incident at Erin's Hope at approximately 1.30am on June 22, after reports were made of a stabbing at the venue. According to police reports, the suspect approached the victim inside the pub and demanded £20, stating he was owed the money. Following the dispute, security took the suspect outside, where he was described as 'being aggressive' and had to be restrained by staff.

The suspect then managed to escape the hold of staff and lunged at the victim. During the altercation, the victim received a one centimetre stab wound to the chest, which he had not noticed until it was pointed out to him, as well as a cut to his pinky finger. The victim believed the suspect had a small knife, such as a Stanley knife, according to reports.

During talks with Mr Flaherty following the incident, police suggested he 'did not appear to appreciate the level of seriousness of the incident' and showed a lack of knowledge regarding the licensing conditions associated with the premises. An action plan was then established, with a time frame for introducing new conditions, to address the issues, but police claim the venue 'failed to follow through' on the commitments and 'repeatedly offered excuses for delay'.

The Met subsequently applied for the licence to be reviewed by Brent Council's Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee, which will hear the case next week (November 11) before making a decision.

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