Club owner liable for damages after bouncer stabbing

A nightclub owner may have to pay damages to a man who was stabbed by one of the nightclub's bouncers, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Gerrard Pollock, the previous owner of Flamingo's nightclub in Woolwich, London, may now have to pay compensate David Mattis for the injuries he suffered. He is paraplegic as a result of the attack.

The judgement is significant as it demonstrates the extent to which unprofessional behaviour of doorstaff can affect premises.

Mr Mattis and the bouncer got into a fight in the club in August 1998. The doorman, who was unregistered, subsequently went home, got a knife and attacked Mr Mattis outside the club.

The doorman was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and is currently serving eight years imprisonment.

A Security Industry Authority (SIA) spokesperson said: "This is a very unfortunate case but it demonstrates why the SIA is introducing tighter regulation for door supervisors and strict controls on who licensees employ to protect their premises and customers.

"In future door supervisors will only be able to work if they pass a criminality check, undergo and pass professional assessments and attain an SIA door supervisor's licence.

"Once the local authorities adopt the measures contained in the new Licensing Act, licensees will be legally bound to ensure that they only employ SIA licensed door staff."