CCTV captures moment man drives car onto crowded club's dancefloor
Mohammed Abdul drove Suzuki Vitara into Blake's nightclub after being thrown out for being drunk, court told
CCTV footage has been released of the moment a clubber furious at being ejected from a club allegedly drove his car onto its packed dancefloor.
Eight people were injured when 21-year-old Mohammed Abdul allegedly sought vengeance at Blake’s nightspot in Gravesend, Kent, after having previously been thrown out for being drunk.
The video appears to show Mr Abdul driving his Suzuki Vitara down an alleyway packed with clubbers before ploughing into the venue itself.
As the car hurtles down the alley, one man can be seen flying over the bonnet after the vehicle rams into him from behind.
Others are seen fleeing to safety as security guards chase after the car.
A camera inside the club shows the vehicle’s headlights getting closer as dancers mingle, unaware the Suzuki is hurtling towards them.
The car can then be seen reversing, its registration plate hanging off at an angle, as revellers stagger to get to their feet.
Some clubbers swarm the vehicle, slamming their fists against the windows, while others look on, visibly shaken.
Mr Abdul is on trial at Maidstone Crown Court for attempted murder.
The court heard he had been told to leave the club around 11.40pm for being too drunk.
The trial was told he began acting aggressively and threatened bouncers, telling doorman Peter Muro: ”If I can’t come in I’m going to come back and shut this place down and kill you guys.”
Mr Abdul returned in his vehicle around 10 minutes later and drove ”at speed” down a narrow alleyway by the side of the club, with door staff and clubbers jumping or being pulled out of the way, prosecutor Simon Taylor said.
The alleyway housed a marquee attached to the club with a dancefloor and DJ booth, and was filled with revellers there to see grime rapper Giggs.
Mr Abdul, of Deptford, south-east London, accepts he was the driver of the vehicle and has admitted causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
But he denies two counts of attempting to murder persons in the vicinity of the club and an alternative charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.
He also denies two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent relating to cameraman Pierre Jermaine Joseph and clubber Katie Wells, who suffered a broken shin and fractured pelvis respectively.
The final prosecution witnesses were heard on Wednesday before the defendant began giving evidence, which he will continue on Thursday.
Additional reporting by Press Association