A high-end Mayfair restaurant and nightclub has had its licence suspended in an emergency hearing after a man's throat was slashed in an attack that left an 8cm wound, exposing his voice box and damaging his nerves.
The licence holders for the Mistress of Mayfair, located on St James's Street, were hauled before Westminster City Council's Licensing Sub-Committee on Monday, August 17. The Metropolitan Police called for the interim hearing on the grounds that the venue was 'associated with serious crime.'
Rhys Copas was attacked at the venue on Monday, August 10. Lucci Guthrie, 28, is accused of carrying out the attack and has been charged with attempted murder. Prosecutor Manisha Kukadia told Hendon Magistrates' Court that Guthrie allegedly approached Copas 'in regards to being in the nightclub.' Copas was dating the former partner of the defendant, the court heard.
In an application to impose interim measures, Superintendent Natasha Evans said that attempted murder was 'one of the most serious offences known to law.' She wrote: 'In light of the extreme seriousness of the incident, the ongoing risks posed to the public, and the apparent failings in the operations and management of the premises, I have no confidence that the premises can continue to operate without undermining the licensing objectives.'
Superintendent Evans added that staff had failed to comply with a condition to scan all customers' ID upon entry to the venue, meaning the identity of the suspect and potential witnesses were not recorded on the club's system. She asked the council to suspend the premises' licence as an interim step pending a later summary review hearing.
Following the hearing, councillors decided to temporarily suspend the venue's licence until a full hearing could take place. The venue voluntarily closed following the incident and staff have been cooperating with the Met Police.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents to hit Mayfair's exclusive nightlife scene. Maison Estelle, the private members' club popular with royalty and celebrities, was separately forced to close after police investigated claims of 'serious crime or serious disorder' and a possible weapon being brandished outside on September 19. Another venue, Concept Club on Duke Street, had its licence revoked after a fight at a Wireless Festival after-party left a young man stabbed in the stomach.
The cluster of incidents has intensified scrutiny of security standards at high-end London venues, where door policies and ID scanning are licence conditions precisely because of the risks associated with late-night crowds. The Met's criticism of the Mistress of Mayfair's failure to scan IDs echoes concerns raised in the other cases.
Guthrie remains charged with attempted murder, and the criminal case is proceeding through the courts. The licensing review will determine whether the Mistress of Mayfair can eventually reopen and under what conditions.