1 week Ago By [email protected] (Millie Bowles)
A seafront bar has closed after its licence was suspended for failing to hand over crucial CCTV footage to police. The lease for the unit in Duke Street, Margate, that was home to Freddie’s Live Lounge has now gone on the market. Police had requested a review of the venue’s licence after bosses were not able to provide CCTV from the night of a serious attack.
But owner Sam Weston says the reason for this was a flood which “corrupted” the footage and denies harbouring the suspect. On November 9 last year, 19-year-old Ronnie Tudor squirted ammonia at Jonathon Turner, bar manager of the Northern Belle pub, along with another man and a woman. It left Mr Turner temporarily blinded.
Tudor was sentenced to six years in prison on March 20. At a meeting earlier that month, district councillors in Thanet decided to suspend Freddie’s licence and remove Mr Weston as the designated premises supervisor. PC Gemma Martin attended and said a witness had seen Tudor running into Freddie’s, where he was allegedly hidden by security.
Police requested CCTV 12 times between November 11 and December 30, 2024, left messages and attended in person five times. PC Martin said: “Kent Police’s investigation has been left disadvantaged without being able to secure critical evidence, which we believe would have shown not only the identity of someone responsible for a serious attack, but the actions designed to hide him by security staff.” She added that the force was unable to prove or disprove the claim from a witness that door staff hid Tudor.
It was not the first time Freddie’s had not handed over important footage. In March 2023, Mr Weston could not provide CCTV after an assault near his property. He told the meeting this was due to cameras not working over the weekend, adding: “It caught me out.
” Referencing the most recent incident, Mr Weston said: “Myself and the security working that night are also very good friends with the guy that was attacked and would never have done any of the things we’re being accused of. “I’ve never met the suspect. I don’t know who he is.
“I’m very upset about what happened to Jonathon. “We had a flood, and water got in the CCTV box. “Police visited and as we went forward, I was told by the manager they couldn't recover any of the footage.
“I then missed emails and calls from you.” Mr Weston said the lack of communication was due to a heart attack and surgery, which he was recovering from. “I didn’t go into detail about my illness at the time because I didn’t want to go ‘Oh poor me,’” he explained.
“Why would I risk my business and my licence harbouring someone who has done something like that to a very good friend of mine? “We work so hard to try and keep the noise level down, too. “This is my livelihood. I’ve got two small children to support on my own.
“If that gets taken away, I’ll be homeless without my business.” After deliberations, a council licensing officer said the licence would be suspended for a period not exceeding two months, and Mr Weston was removed as the designated premises supervisor. He was told that in that time period, he must appoint a competent and appropriately trained designated premises supervisor, especially in relation to the CCTV.
He was also given extra conditions around noise to adhere to, including not allowing drinks in the smoking area and dispersing large crowds outside. But estate agents have now confirmed Freddie’s has closed. The lease is available for £2,833 a month.
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