Birmingham nightclub charged over death

Oct 1 2008 by Paul Bradley, Birmingham Mail

A BIRMINGHAM nightclub is being prosecuted by city council health and safety watchdogs after a 21-year-old man was found dead in its staff car park.

Christopher Clarke, pictured, was thrown out of the back door of the £5 million Oceana nightclub, in Hurst Street, Birmingham city centre, by doormen after bouncers saw him drop a glass. Minutes later, his body was discovered by workers from a neighbouring club on the ground of the Oceana’s staff car park.

Mr Clarke, from Stanton Road, Shirley, Solihull, had found himself trapped by 12ft walls and a security gate after being thrown out.

When he tried climb out, he fell backwards and hit his head on the ground.

The Wolves fan was pronounced dead at City Hospital on February 3 last year, just hours after the midnight fall.

Birmingham City Council watchdogs have told Mr Clarke’s family they are bringing health and safety charges against Oceana’s parent company Luminar, which also owns the Jam House, in St Paul’s Square.

The club had already been given “a severe warning” because of police fears over drunkenness, fights and drugs.

The reprimand was issued by council licensing chiefs after a secret hearing into disorder at the superclub which opened in November 2006.

Mr Clarke’s parents, Graham and Carole, who have campaigned for justice since their son’s death nearly 18 months ago, said: “Christopher was such a loving and caring son and to this day we can’t quite believe he has gone.

“The place where he fell was dismal and dark - it was a horrible place for him to die and it should never have happened.

“Christopher deserves justice. We want to make sure other innocent young people are not killed on nights out with friends. We wouldn’t want anyone else to go through what we have been through.”

Luminar Group Holdings have been summoned to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court on November 14 for the contravention of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety Regulations Act 1999.

A spokesman for Luminar said that the company did not wish to comment at this stage.