Club's licence suspended amid girl rape allegation

A nightclub has had its licence suspended following the alleged rape of a girl who was able to get in and be served alcohol.

Cleveland Police said the alleged offence against a girl under 16 "possibly wouldn't have happened" if Lounge Afrique in Middlesbrough had properly been checking people's ages before letting them in.

Middlesbrough Council suspended the club's licence pending a full review after hearing the incident was one of many concerning issues linked to the bar on Corporation Road.

The premises licence holder Percy Quarcoo, said he was "extremely disappointed" with how the bar had been operating and promised changes, but councillors were not swayed from their suspension decision.

The council's licensing sub-committee imposed the suspension on Tuesday and decided to uphold it on Friday after Quarcoo asked for an immediate review, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Cleveland Police had asked for the suspension following the alleged rape earlier in July, with CCTV showing the girl being served alcohol in the bar before she was allegedly attacked elsewhere.

Along with "significant safeguarding concerns", investigating officers reported "difficulties" in obtaining information from the premises, with allegations from the police that members of staff had "not fully cooperated" with inquiries.

Lounge Afrique had held a licence since 2014 allowing it to serve alcohol and host other activities, the committee heard.

Representing the force, Harriet Eglinton said a review of CCTV prompted by the rape allegation showed a number of "concerning actions occurring at the premise" which would put it in breach of its licence conditions.

People who appeared to be under 18 were being allowed entry, she said, and there had been 10 incidents reported in the last two years including physical and sexual assaults and drinks being spiked.

The committee said it believed the "failure of the staff to properly adhere to the [licensing] conditions" put the alleged rape victim at risk, with the suspension "proportionate to prevent further serious crime".

Quarcoo told councillors he was "extremely disappointed" in Lounge Afrique's designated premises supervisor and was now speaking to a "very experienced" replacement.

He also said steps taken since Tuesday included appointing a new security team and ordering electronic ID scanners.

He also said the alleged rape did not occur inside the club.

In response, Cleveland Police's licensing officer Amy Roberts said "if some of the checks" that were supposed to be done had been completed, the alleged rape "possibly wouldn't have happened".

A full licensing review will take place on 17 August.

A police spokeswoman said a 28-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of rape and remained on police bail while inquiries continued.

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