Dirty Blonde Club in Clapham has been forced to close its doors temporarily following a tragic incident where a 24-year-old man lost his life in a fight outside the venue. The victim, Dontae McLaren, tragically passed away as a result of the altercation.
As a response to this unfortunate event, Lambeth council has decided to suspend the club’s license until at least later in October. The council will convene to make a decision regarding the future of the club moving forward.
In connection with the incident, Dynzell Patrick, 26, has been charged with the murder of Mr. McLaren and is set to appear in court on December 23. Additionally, Tyanne Corbin, 25, and Hamid Hamdi, 25, have been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and violent disorder. They are scheduled to appear in court on November 6.
The Metropolitan Police raised concerns about the club’s operations, citing the presence of knives inside the venue despite assurances of a robust search process. Furthermore, there were reports of previous incidents and a lack of adequate CCTV coverage at the club.
The altercation reportedly began inside the club before spilling out onto the street, resulting in the tragic loss of Mr. McLaren’s life and leaving two others injured. The police intervened after receiving reports of a fight involving approximately 20 individuals with knives.
During the licensing hearing, the decision to suspend the club’s license was made in private to avoid compromising ongoing police investigations. The council deemed it necessary to keep certain details confidential in the interest of public safety.
Another licensing meeting is scheduled for October 25 to determine the long-term fate of Dirty Blonde Club in Clapham. The community and local authorities will closely monitor the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of residents in the area.
