‘Knuckleduster’ caused clubber’s head injuries
DETECTIVES now believe a nightclubber left with a serious head injury was hit with a knuckleduster.
The victim had been socialising with friends at the Bijou Club on Chapel Street, Salford.
Police, who are quizzing staff at the club, say he became involved in an argument with another customer inside and that as a result the other man was ejected by door staff.
GMP say the victim tried to continue the dispute by following the man outside but was restrained by door staff from doing so. Detectives believe the man may have suffered his injury, which included a deep cut, from a knuckleduster while being restrained.
Police originally said an axe had been used in the attack but now accept that was incorrect. The club refutes the police version saying there was ‘no way’ the attack was in the club.
Meanwhile, local councillors have raised concerns about the disturbance – the second violent incident at the club in four months – with the city’s licensing boss.
In a statement GMP said: “At around 4.10am on Monday 17th April police were called to Chapel Street by NWAS staff, who had attended to treat a man with a serious head injury. The man was taken to hospital, where he remains in a serious, but stable condition. Officers attended and established that a man had become involved in an argument with another man, who was then removed. The first man attempted to follow him but was restrained. When he tried to break free he was punched and hit with what is believed to be a knuckleduster.
“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident number 423 of 17/04/17, or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Bosses at the Bijou Club say they are co-operating fully with the investigation. A spokeswoman for the club said: “We have 28 CCTV cameras at Bijou. The gentleman that was removed is the gentleman that has sustained the injury. There is no way the attack was in the club - and there was no axe. It was Damien Matto, the owner, who called the police. This has gone worldwide as many of our customers are from overseas. We have worked hard to maintain a good reputation and have worked closely with the police. We will assist the police in any way we can.”
Mr Matto said: “The welfare and security of our guests at The Bijou Club is paramount and I would like to thank our security team for their help in dealing with one man who was causing trouble.”
In December a man and a woman needed hospital treatment after a large scale brawl outside the club in the early hours.