Judge Throws Out Case Against Black Brixton Businessman.

Press Statement From Spokesperson Of Fridge Bar Brixton.
The False and Malicious Prosecution of Fridge Bar, Brixton By Lambeth Police Service.

'On Sunday 19th April 2015, three men attacked the Fridge Bar Head of Security. One of these men was armed with a knife. These men were barred from entering our premises because of their violent behaviour towards another group of totally innocent partygoers.

The Director of the Fridge Bar and another member of security rushed to his aid and managed to subdue the attackers, rescuing their colleague from serious harm. The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) attended however instead of arresting the violent attackers, decided to arrest our Director and one of our security staff, despite the fact that the offenders threatened to return and use firearms against the club and its staff.

Fridge Bar turned over all CCTV to the police and our Director made an immediate full and comprehensive statement upon his arrest.

As you are all aware, there was a great deal of untruths written in the press and Lambeth Council Licensing Committee was asked by the police to close our venue

on four separate occasions yet we were allowed to continue trading.

During this period Fridge Bar was in negotiations with Lambeth Council to purchase our building/business in order for the new development to take place.

Fridge Bar closed their doors finally on October 4th 2015.

Some 11 months later, on Weds 2^nd March 2016 our Director and security staff member attended Inner London Crown Court for the beginning of their trial on assault charges.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) then decided to drop all charges citing that the ‘Fridge Bar CCTV that shows the attacker with a knife in his left hand striking’ our security staff and the fact the Director made a full statement explaining what had taken place’.  They also stated that they had spoken to the witness by phone who had been ‘uncooperative’.

The statement provided by our Director was entirely consistent with the evidence provided by the CCTV. This evidence had been in the possession of the MPS and the CPS for the last year. 

The judge first viewed the Fridge Bar CCTV on August 12th 2015 and ‘invited the CPS to review this case and decide whether they wish to pursue’. The CPS did review and in September 2015 they decided to push ahead with the prosecution.

Strangely, the CPS then withdrew all charges on the day of the trial! The Judge saw the evidence in this case and agreed that this was not a case that should not go any further.

This case has cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds and has put the Director of Fridge Bar, his family and the staff through hell, over the course of last year.

It is our view that his case should have never come to court. Whilst one would reasonably assume the MPS might show some contrition and offer us an apology, we do not anticipate one coming any time soon.'

Fridge Bar has now been fully exonerated in a court of law.

Lee Jasper, Civil Rights Activist commentated,

‘One has to ask why Lambeth Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have mercilessly hounded black business owner and his staff in this way.

Not only should the Director of the Fridge Bar and his security staff, never been arrested by the police, the CPS should have refused to prosecute on the basis of the evidence they had in front of them.

That they chose to do so, then begs the important question as to why was this case pursued?

I believe it was an attempt to discredit the owner, have his license removed and facilitate the smooth transition of Brixton’s on going gentrification. ‘

More Info Contact:

Lee Jasper.