Gravesend: Mohammed Abdul told staff at Blake's nightclub he would 'kill them' after being thrown out, court hears
Published: 15:57, 17 September 2018
Updated: 14:14, 18 September 2018
An angry clubber took revenge and drove into a night spot, injuring staff and customers, after he was thrown out for being drunk, a court heard.
Mohammed Abdul had allegedly warned one of the door staff: “If I can’t come in, I’m going to come back and shut this place down and kill you guys.”
A few minutes later, shortly before midnight on March 17, the 21-year-old climbed behind the wheel of his Suzuki Vitara and started to drive down an alleyway at the side of Blake’s in Queen Street, Gravesend, Maidstone Crown Court was told.
A bouncer tried to stop him, but he continued causing other staff and customers to jump out of the way.
Prosecutor Simon Taylor said as Abdul approached a marquee being used as part of the club, which had a dance floor and DJ booth, he stopped for about nine seconds, “no doubt to make a final decision about what he was going to do next”, before driving into it at speed, hitting several people.
“He travelled for a distance of around five to 10 metres and gave the customers and staff, who were in his wake, no time to react,” he told the jury of seven men and five women.
“As a consequence, some of the occupants of the marquee were hit by the car and thrown onto the bonnet and then onto the floor.”
Abdul reversed, but was overpowered by door staff and customers and ended up with injuries himself.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Taylor said: “This course of conduct involved using his motor car as a weapon by deliberately driving at a large group of people who were trying to enjoy a night out in Blake’s.
“The manner in which the defendant drove was not short in either duration or distance. It was a determined and indiscriminate effort to cause carnage and death to anyone who was in his way.
“Mercifully - and no thanks to the defendant - death was not caused, but serious injury was. You can be sure the defendant intended to kill.”
One of the charges Abdul faces relates to Pierre Joseph, a cameraman who was at the club to film rapper Giggs. Mr Joseph suffered a fractured left shinbone and bruises.
Another charge involves customer Katie Wells, who was standing just inside the marquee having a cigarette. She suffered a fractured pelvis and bruises.
Abdul, 21, of McMillan Street, Deptford, south east London, denies two charges of attempted murder and two alternatives of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and one of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
He admits two offences of causing serious injury by dangerous driving to Mr Joseph and Miss Wells.
Mr Taylor stressed to jurors: “It may have occurred to you this was some sort of terrorist event. Matters were investigated and the case is it is not a terrorist event.”
CCTV of Abdul being ejected from the club and then going to his car and driving into the marquee was shown in court.
He had entered the club at 8.38pm on the Saturday and was asked to leave at 11.41pm because of his intoxication.
Mr Taylor said Abdul was very angry and said: “I’m going to shut you down tonight.”
About 10 minutes later he returned and started to drive down the narrow alleyway. Door staff tried to stop him but he continued.
He stopped for about nine seconds before bursting through metal gates and driving into the crowded marquee and onto the dance floor.
He reversed and was surrounded by bouncers and customers. He was pulled out of the car and restrained. He was treated for injuries.
“In all likelihood he received some injuries from those patrons he had attempted to mow down and who had intervened to prevent further carnage,” said Mr Taylor.
“It is perhaps noteworthy the defendant was abusive and uncooperative to the officers who detained him and also ambulance staff treating him.”
He gave a no comment interview.
Eight people were injured during the incident.
Pierre Joseph said he had seen Abdul swearing at bouncers and saying “Watch watch”. Mr Joseph tried to calm him down. He then went into the marquee.
He became aware of a car nudging his left side and then pinning his legs to the side of the marquee.
Katie Wells was standing just inside the marquee having a cigarette because she was cold. She flicked her cigarette into a pot and heard a massive bang.
She saw the car burst through the gates and head towards the marquee. It stopped, revved and drove towards her.
“The car hit her with blunt force and the passenger side front light area of the car hit her left side,” said Mr Taylor. “She remembers her shoes coming off and she found herself under the car.
“She sat upright and was trying to get out from under the car when a man called Reece Smith pulled her out by pulling her under her arms.”
He added: “The defendant accepts causing injuries to Pierre Joseph and Katie Wells.”
Danny Moore, defending, said the issue in the case was whether Abdul was trying to kill as he drove into the marquee or trying to cause serious injury.
“Was his intentional behaviour to kill or cause serious injury, or utterly reckless behaviour?” he asked. “This is the issue you will have to try in this case.”
High Court judge Mr Justice Fancourt said: “The main matter in dispute is the defendant’s state of mind, in particular whether he intended to kill one or more people in Blake’s nightclub that evening, or, if not, whether he intended to cause serious injury.”
Greg Perzanowski said in evidence Abdul was asked to leave after young women complained about him touching them and being rude.
He could tell he was “under the influence” despite him repeatedly claiming he was okay and wanted to stay.
Mr Perzanowski said he escorted Abdul to the gates in the alleyway and handed him over to a colleague.
A short while later he heard a commotion at the end of the alleyway.
Assisted by an interpreter, the doorman said: "I turned around to see what was going on. I saw this car starting to drive into the alley.
"It was straight on to me. Others were trying to open the car doors. The car was going straight onto me.
"I jumped so I wouldn't go onto the car. I ended up on the windscreen but the impact was so severe I landed in a space between the wall and the car.
"I went into the air and spun before landing on the ground in a squat."
Mr Perzanowski said he thought the vehicle was hitting people as it continued down the alley and then into the marquee.
By the time he caught up, Abdul was out of the car and being restrained.
He then saw Mr Joseph laying on the ground, asking for help because he could not stand.
Mr Perzanowski said he had bruising to both his legs and his right buttock, and pain to his neck, back and shoulder.
The trial continues.
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