London nightclub Heaven was forced to close after security guard allegedly ‘raped woman’

A nightclub in London was forced to close after one of its security guards was accused of rape.

The guard is alleged to have raped a woman near the Heaven nightclub in central London in the early hours of November 1.

Police claimed other staff ignored the woman when she tried to tell them about the attack.

Morenikeji Adewole, 47, of Dartford, Kent, also known as Olu Julius or Olusolu Alabi, was charged with rape on Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said.

Heaven, which opened in Villiers Street near Embankment Underground station in 1979, will remain closed for at least 28 days from last Friday until a licensing hearing is held by Westminster council in December.

‘The decision was made due to public safety’

The first hearing was held following the Met’s application to suspend the venue’s licence.

In the statement made by the Met, the following statements were made: “The decision, taken upon the application of the Metropolitan Police, was made on the grounds of public safety.

“The hearing heard the allegation that a woman was raped by security personnel near the venue in the early hours of Friday, November 1. Other staff allegedly ignored her efforts to report the assault.”

Police said this followed another attack in May this year, when three members of the venue’s security team were allegedly filmed attacking a customer in the street.

The statement cited “serious concerns about the venue’s ability to meet its obligations to protect its patrons, particularly in relation to security.”

‘I was disturbed by this claim’

A council spokesman said: “At the request of the Metropolitan Police and having considered evidence from both the police and the operator, the council’s licensing committee has decided to suspend Heaven’s license for 28 days.

“We recognize the cultural significance of this venue but the committee agrees that this step is necessary to protect the public.

“A full licensing hearing will be held in December where both the police and venue management will have the opportunity to present new evidence.

“This case is currently subject to an ongoing police investigation and we cannot comment further at this stage.”

In a statement, the nightclub said: “We are disturbed by this allegation but are unable to comment as there is an ongoing criminal investigation. We can only direct our thoughts to the alleged victim.

“Our priority is to put new procedures in place… and gain the council’s trust as we move forward.”