Venue loses licence over teen girls rape inquiry

The girls were allegedly drinking in the bar after it should have been closed

A restaurant and bar has surrendered its licence after allegations a 16 and a 17-year-old girl who drank at the venue were later raped.

Northamptonshire Police called for a licensing review for Pasha Shawarma in Wellingborough.

According to a report for North Northamptonshire Council, the force had "subsequent difficulties" dealing with the venue.

Pasha Shawarma has been approached for comment.

Police asked for the review under the "prevention of crime and disorder" and "protection of children from harm", according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The report said it "relates to an investigation regarding two allegations of rape on two females one aged 16 and one aged 17 and subsequent difficulties experienced by Northamptonshire Police when engaging with the premises".

A police statement said that the offences did not occur at the premises, but that the two teenage girls and the alleged suspects were inside Pasha Shawarma and left the venue together in the early hours of 25 February.

'Un-cooperative with police'

Despite repeated requests, the venue did not pass on CCTV footage, which was against the conditions of the licence.

The venue was required to close at 23:30 on the date the allegations took place, but nearby CCTV pictures showed the two females arriving and entering at midnight and then leaving at 03:18.

The force asked for the venue's licence to be revoked but on 18 June the licence holder notified the council that they wished to surrender their licence with immediate effect, which was accepted.

A meeting of the council's licencing committee heard the venue has now been closed since the police submitted the review application at the beginning of May.