Mohammed Abdul set to deny attempted murder after Blake's nightclub attack
Published: 10:46, 16 April 2018
Updated: 11:03, 16 April 2018
A man accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving a car into a crowded nightclub appeared in court today.
At least 13 people were injured when a Suzuki Vitara crashed into Blake's in Queen Street in Gravesend just before midnight on Saturday, March 17.
However, due to technical issues with sound from a TV link with Belmarsh Prison, Mohammed Abdul was not able to enter a plea at Maidstone Crown Court.
Ben Irwin, defending, indicated the 21-year-old, of McMillan Street, Deptford, south east London, would enter a not guilty plea when the hearing resumes on Friday.
Judge Adele Williams set a provisional trial date for September 18. The charge covers multiple alleged victims.
A previous hearing was told the injuries suffered from the incident at Blake's included a dislocated knee, a broken shin bone, a dislocated pelvis and cuts and bruises.
Abdul, 21, was remanded in custody.
The incident has not been treated as terror-related.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector David Chewter from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said at the time: "We have reason to believe the person responsible for the vehicle colliding with the nightclub had been asked to leave the venue earlier on in the evening.
"Many people were injured as a result of the incident but none of their injuries are described as life-threatening or life-changing.
"However, we believe there may be more casualties out there who are yet to come forward and talk to us – we would like to hear from them as we continue to build a clear picture of what happened that night."
Grime rapper Giggs, who was on his way to perform at the venue when the incident happened, posted a video to his 735,000 Instagram followers in which he extended his sympathies to guests.
He said: "Sorry to everyone that came to see me at Blake's the other night, trust me that was going to be the jump."
He added that he was driving to the nightclub when he heard that someone had driven through a wall, saying: "What can I say, I'm sorry about that. It's good that no one was hurt too tough and no one is dead."
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Keith Hunt