EXCLUSIVE - Nightclub at centre of murder investigation shut down

By The Editor 13th Dec 2022

A Richmond nightclub at the centre of the tragic death of Reece Newcombe has been temporarily shut down after the police warned it is 'associated with serious crime and disorder'.

Nub News has discovered that the police moved to effectively shut down Viva, which sits on Hill Rise, by having its drinks licence suspended, on December 2.

The club's owners have been co-operating with the police and did not oppose the application by the police.

The decision has been directly linked to the murder of Reece, who died following an attack that occurred at around 4am on Saturday, November 26.

An emergency meeting of Richmond Borough Council's Licensing committee took place on December 6 and approved an immediate temporary suspension of the nightclub's drinks licence. A full hearing to decide on the permanent removal of the licence is due to take place on December 20.

The Council did not announce, publicise or webcast the meeting on December 6. Richmond Police also made no announcement that it was seeking to have the nightclub's licence removed.

The death of Reece, who was the father of a baby daughter, has caused enormous distress and an outpouring of grief and support for his family.

More than 2,000 people attended a memorial walk through Richmond to the site of the attack.

Viva had a licence in the name of David Theos Charalambous, to sell alcohol until 2.30am at weekends. The police say his alleged attacker had been drinking in the club.

The Metropolitan Police told the Licensing Sub-Committee on December 6: "On November 26, at 4am, the police were called to Richmond Bridge to a victim who had been stabbed and subsequently lost their life.

"After reviewing the crime the Police Licensing Team have noted serious failings by the venue on the night in question and believe that the premises have failed to uphold the licensing objective namely the prevention of crime and disorder.

"As such, the Metropolitan Police are seeking a summary review of the premises licence and respectfully request that the licensing sub-committee suspend the licence pending the full hearing."

The police licensing officer, Pc Justin Campbell-Harris, stated: "I'm aware that the venue has been assisting Police with the investigation however the Police have noted serious failings by the venue on the night in question.

"I have considered the following; the history of the premises, the willingness to work with Police and all other powers available to me such as the use of a standard review under the licensing act 2003 or a closure notice under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

"However, in this case and due to the seriousness of the crime and the failings by the premises to uphold the licensing objective (prevention of crime and disorder) the Metropolitan Police believe it is necessary and propionate to seek a summary review and request interim steps of immediate suspension of the premises licence."

Supporting a decision to suspend the club's licence until there can be full hearing, the committee said it 'had concerns regarding the failings of the SIA door staff.'

It noted that the alleged attacker had been in the Viva nightclub before the attack on Reece.

The Sub-Committee also acknowledged that the licence holder was not opposed to the police's request for the licence to be suspended and had been co-operating with the police.

* Ross Hamilton, age 32, of Wood Lane, Isleworth, has been charged with murder and common assault. A second man has been arrested and bailed.

     

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