Door staff at a seafront bar are alleged to have hidden a police suspect following a reported “acid attack” at a nearby pub just moments before.

The owner of Freddie's in Duke Street, Margate, is then accused of hindering an investigation by failing to provide CCTV to police – despite officers requesting the footage a staggering 22 times.

Police have now called for the venue to be stripped of its premises licence.

Documents submitted by police to Thanet District Council (TDC) reveal the incident happened on Saturday, November 9, last year when officers received a report of a suspected acid attack in nearby Mansion Street.

It would later emerge the substance used was ammonia, with a teenager later convicted of spraying the toxic substance at four people, leaving two with serious injuries.

Witnesses told police the suspect fled to Freddie’s immediately after the assault and was allegedly hidden by the venue’s door staff.

As part of their investigation, police contacted the venue’s Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), Samuel Weston, requesting CCTV and details of the door staff who were working that night.

Between November 11 and December 30, police say they made 22 separate requests for the footage — through phone calls, voicemails, texts, emails and even visiting the premises in person.

Despite these repeated requests, no CCTV was ever handed over.

In documents provided to the council, police said: “Following the failure to provide CCTV, Kent Police are unable to prove or disprove the allegation.

“CCTV is a requirement at this licensed premises and is a tool to ‘prevent crime and disorder’, assist in the identification of individuals who pose a risk to the community, and promotes a sense of safety amongst customers.”

The police document also reveals Mr Weston has previously failed to comply with his CCTV obligations.

In April 2023, he was issued with a formal warning after failing to supply CCTV footage following another serious incident.

At the time, police told Mr Weston this was his final warning and told him: “Any more breaches will result in the review of his premises licence.”

Despite being contacted repeatedly after the incident, the force said Mr Weston ignored calls, texts and emails from licensing officer PC Martin.

Officers even attended the venue in person on five separate occasions to try to obtain the footage and speak to Mr Weston directly, but no cooperation was received.

In their statement to the council, police said: “Kent Police have reason to believe that the premises have significantly undermined the ‘Prevention of Crime and Disorder’ and ‘Public Safety’ licensing objectives.”

In correspondence with the council in January 2025, Mr Weston claimed poor health was the reason for his lack of engagement, saying he had suffered a heart attack and undergone surgery 12 weeks earlier.

However, police say this information was never relayed to PC Martin or the officers who attended the premises in person.

“On the balance of probability, it is Kent Police’s opinion that mandatory conditions have been breached and that Mr Weston is not suitable as DPS at the premises,” the force added.

As a result, police are now formally requesting that Mr Weston be removed from his role and that Freddie’s is stripped of its premises licence entirely.

The future of the bar’s licence will now be determined at a review hearing on Thursday, March 6.

Ronnie Tudor, 19, of St Lukes Avenue, Ramsgate, is due to be sentenced next month for two counts of GBH with intent, administering a noxious thing with intent to injure or aggrieve, and possession of a corrosive substance (ammonia).

He admitted the offences at Canterbury Crown Court in December and will learn his fate on March 20.