Carnival bottling of reveller leaves ‘Volcano’ venue sweating over future licence

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A popular Notting Hill Carnival stand faces closure after a party-goer was allegedly smashed over the head with a glass bottle, police documents show.

The serious assault, which is currently being investigated by the Met, left the man with “deep lacerations” across his neck, head, legs and right hand.

Police said the incident took place “within the footprint” of Volcano Sound System’s set-up in Faraday Road on the last day of the carnival last year and are calling for its licence to be revoked.

Courtney White, who runs the site, said none of his staff were involved in the incident and has proposed a raft of new measures to improve security.

According to documents shared with Kensington and Chelsea council, who will decide the fate of Volcano’s licence, the incident took place when a drunken party-goer was refused entry to a VIP area by staff.

It is claimed that while the victim was being removed from the area, he was assaulted by a member of staff as well as another male who proceeded to hit him over the head on two separate occasions with a glass bottle.

The scuffle was captured on a bystander’s mobile phone and the police believe Mr White was physically involved in ejecting the victim from the area and was very likely to have witnessed or been informed of the second assault, which saw a victim being hit over the head with a glass bottle, which smashed on impact.

According to police, there was no “identifiable” security in the vicinity.

A statement by the force read: “Following the two assaults, there appears to have been no attempt by [Mr White] or any member of staff or security to notify the police or ambulance service of the incident or injured victim. In fact, the victim is located just a short distance from where he was assaulted, lying on the floor in a semi-conscious state being tended to by members of the public/carnival goers.”

The document states police were called by a member of the public “not associated with the premises” and when they arrived, neither Mr White nor any of his security or staff approached to explain what had happened. St John’s Ambulance arrived a few minutes later and took over medical treatment from officers.

Mr White was interviewed under caution by investigating officers. He claims the victim was thrown to the floor by someone who had purchased a Volcano t-shirt which had been on sale prior to the carnival and said no staff were involved in the incident.

The Met said Mr White’s handling of the incident was “completely unacceptable” and that he should not have been involved in ejecting the victim from the premises. They said Mr White made no effort to check on the victim’s welfare.

They also slammed Mr White and his staff and security for failing to call the police or the ambulance service or to provide first aid. They said: “This is totally unacceptable, particularly when considering this was during Notting Hill Carnival and there were significant numbers of police officers within the vicinity.

“Instead, the victim was carried and left on the side of the road by Volcano staff/security and left in the hands of members of the public, one of which called the police.”

Mr White, who says the venue has been operating at Notting Hill Carnival for 16 years. has been accused of breaching 13 conditions of his licence, including failure to train staff.

The Met said: “Undertaking licensable activities during the Carnival carries significant responsibility and risk and as such premises licences are conditioned to ensure that the licence holders carry out the appropriate amount of training and put the appropriate safeguards in place to ensure the safety of their customers.

“This incident has highlighted that Mr White has not taken his responsibility seriously. The police have no confidence that Mr White is able to run a safe sound system going forward.”

A Police Post Incident Report filled out by Mr White says eight security guards and four stewards were on duty on the night of the incident.

Mr White said: “Whilst I can accept that the unfortunate incident was not managed well, after reflection and learning I believe that I have the ability to ensure I meet all licensing conditions as well as ensure additional plans are in place in the event of an incident or emergency.”

Kensington and Chelsea council will review the licence during a meeting on Thursday.

Picture: Wikimedia Commons/David Sedlecky  Wiki page HERE