Cricket club in Manchester could be shut down after police find ‘drugs, porn and samurai sword’
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A cricket club in Manchester where police say they found a samurai sword, an axe and knuckle dusters alongside drugs and porn could be closed down.
Three men were arrested for various suspected offences after police raided Burnage Community Sports and Social Club in Mauldeth Road on 4 August and, since then, one man has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon.
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Hide AdAn 18-year-old man who was arrested for burglary following the raid has now been recalled to prison, according to GMP, while another man arrested for possession with intent to supply has been released under investigation.
The search warrant was executed after stolen vehicles were recovered from the site in July, one of which was taken during the course of an aggravated burglary, according to a police report published ahead of a licensing hearing.
During the raid, police say they found keys of vehicles also believed to have been taken in burglaries, as well as cannabis and drugs paraphernalia, the papers says.
They say they also seized a samurai sword, a lock knife, an axe, a pair of knuckle dusters and pornographic films on the grounds of the social club and its outbuildings, according to GMP representation to Manchester council’s licensing panel.
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Hide AdThe premises, which is also known as Burnage Cricket Club, had its alcohol and entertainment licence temporarily suspended within days of the raid.
The club could now be closed down as council officers join the police in calling for its premises licence to be revoked ahead of a town hall hearing next week.
Complaints received
It comes as licensing officers reveal that the council received 46 complaints about the club of which 40 related to noise issues over the last seven years, according to papers published ahead of the summary review licensing hearing.
These complaints, which came from 24 individual residents in the area, include claims of a ‘gathering’ on the club’s grounds during lockdown and loud music.
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Hide AdOfficers also said in the council’s papers that the premises ran for nine years without a single noise complaint up until a few months before current boss Lee Pepper took over.
The premises licence holder disputed GMP’s evidence at the interim steps hearing earlier this month, saying he wants to help reduce crime in the area.
He explained that he lived in Spain and had sought to sell land next to the club, but said he was in full control of the premises, according to a council report.
Officers reported that he said the items that were seized were not related to the premises, its employees or himself and argued that he should not be held responsible for the actions of others, including those who were arrested during the raid.
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Hide AdHowever, the licensing panel was ‘extremely concerned’ that drugs and knives had been seized at the property and did not accept that the premises licence holder could effectively control and manage the club while living in Spain.
Councillors agreed to delay the suspension of the premises licence by a day to allow for a funeral wake which had been arranged on 9 August to take place.
But a fight broke out at this event and a ‘nasty assault’ took place, according to police who say they have concluded that the club is ‘incapable of turning things around’.
The club is understood to have been closed since then pending a full review.
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Hide AdIn a statement published ahead of the hearing next week, the police said: “GMP believe the premises unfortunately attracts some clientele who seek to cause harm and fear to others.
“Therefore, due to these serious concerns, GMP asks committee to revoke the premises licence.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has tried to contact the club and Mr Pepper ahead of another hearing next week, but did not receive a response.
The summary review hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, 31 August at 10am.
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