Seafront bar in UK’s ‘trendiest’ town is forced to SHUT after failing to hand police ‘critical’ CCTV footage of attack
A POPULAR seafront bar has been shut down after failing to give police "critical" CCTV footage of an attack.
Freddie's Live Lounge, in Margate, Kent, was stripped of its licence and forced to close permanently.
Much to the disappointment of locals, the Duke Street venue was shuttered in wake of a serious assault on November 9 last year.
Ronnie Tudor, 19, doused his victim Jonathon Turner in ammonia which left him temporarily blind.
Another man and a woman were also hit with the corrosive substance in the attack.
Tudor was slapped with six years behind bars for the horror last month.
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The decision to scrap Freddie's licence came after a meeting between Thanet district councillors heard Tudor had been hidden by security after running into the bar.
PC Gemma Martin heard the allegation at the meeting and requested footage from owner Sam Weston.
The venue was pressed 12 times for the video between November 11 and December 30 2024 - both in person and via messages.
PC Martin told : “Kent Police’s investigation has been left disadvantaged without being able to secure critical evidence, which we believe would have shown not only the identity of someone responsible for a serious attack, but the actions designed to hide him by security staff.”
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Kent Police have not been able to confirm whether security did protect Tudor due to lack of CCTV.
Freddie's owner Sam Weston argued the reason was a flood which “corrupted” the footage.
He has denied helping or hiding the suspect.
“Myself and the security working that night are also very good friends with the guy that was attacked and would never have done any of the things we’re being accused of," said Mr Weston.
“I’ve never met the suspect. I don’t know who he is. I’m very upset about what happened to Jonathon.
“We had a flood, and water got in the CCTV box."
The devastated dad-of-two added how the bar is his livelihood and he will be "homeless" without it.
The owner argued he had undergone surgery after a heart attack at the time which exacerbated communication issues.
This follows another incident in 2023 when Freddie's similarly failed to provide CCTV after an assault nearby.
Mr Weston blamed the cameras not working.
Thanet Council ultimately decided to suspend the licence for two months and axe Mr Weston as the supervisor.
To regain the licence, he had to hire a new employee to fill that role, as well as ban drinking in the smoking area.
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But Freddie's in now on the market with a lease for £2,833 a month.
Kent Police, Sam Weston and Thanet Council were contacted for comment.
