Police seek review of club licence after violent crimes on premises

POLICE have applied for the licence of a notorious Sheffield nightclub to be reviewed after numerous violent crimes on the premises, including the slicing off of a man’s ear in the club toilets.

Officers were also called to Fontana, in Attercliffe Road, last month after reports that around 15 people, armed with weapons including a knife and a knuckle duster, “jumped” a man on the dance floor. Police say both the initial attacker and the victim have “links to known gang members”.

In October 2010, a man was attacked with a flick knife in the club toilets but refused to give staff at the Northern General Hospital any details. A police spokesman said: “He was escorted out of the club via the back entrance, during which time he asked for an ambulance to be called.

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“The owner asked him not to tell anyone the incident had happened at Fontana. The owner and a bouncer walked the complainant down the road, away from the club, and then deserted him.

“The injured person underwent surgery to re attach their ear and repair several puncture and slash wounds to their face and throat.”

Over the last year police have received up to 20 emergency calls reporting violent incidents at the club, including assaults, stabbings and the theft of music equipment.

The police spokesman said that Fontana is attracting clientele who used to attend the Zion club, also on Attercliffe Road, which has been shut down.

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Both clubs, as well as the former Niche club in Charter Square – also known as Vibe – were raided in a high-profile police operation in November 2009 to crack down on gang crime.

Police say Fontana has since come to their attention again for “violence, noise complaints, intimidation of local residents and license breaches”.

On one occasion in November last year, police outside the club at 5.15am monitoring a “large gathering of intoxicated people leaving the venue” were approached by a member of the public calling himself the “Prince of Peace.”

“He approached the police vehicle and asked the officers to move on as he had higher authority than them”, the police spokesman said.

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“When asked to move away he decided to urinate outside the club in full view of members of the public and police.”

The spokesman added: “I am of the opinion that there is insufficient door staff at the premises. The management are uncooperative and show disregard for licensing conditions.

“There is evidence of a gang culture and concerns are that if firm action is not taken against the premises then it is only a matter of time before someone suffers life-changing injuries, or worse.”

As a result, police have applied to Sheffield Council for Fontana’s licence to be reviewed, and a decision will be made at a licensing board meeting at 10am today.

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The club has already been temporarily closed, pending the decision of the licensing board.

Neighbours backing the permanent closure of Fontana have signed letters saying that “local business would suffer tremendously if the club operates a moment longer” and around 60 locals have also signed a petition.

Numerous clubbers, however, have come forward in Fontana’s defence.

One Fontana regular said: “As a person who loves having fun and meeting up with my fellow Africans, please reopen Fontana.

“It is the safest club I can ever think of in Sheffield.”

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Another wrote to the licensing board: “Fontana has always provided a safe and secure environment for me and my friends.

“There is rarely any violence in this place, in comparison to other nightclubs that I have been to.

“So please consider the fact that it is the only place that is left for the dancehall, African and urban community.”

The owner and designated premises supervisor of Fontana, Bernard Sona, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

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