Backroom nightclub closed pending licence review after 17-year-old girl raped outside
A nightclub in Leeds city centre has been forced to temporarily close its doors pending the outcome of a licensing review meeting.
The Backroom nightclub, located on Call lane in Leeds city centre, is set to remain closed until at least December 16, after West Yorkshire Police called for an urgent meeting to review the nightclub's licence.
It comes just weeks after a 17-year-old girl, who had been on a night out in the Call Lane area, was reportedly raped shortly after leaving the venue at around 2.15am on November 9.
The victim is said to have been approached by a man who took her to a nearby location where the offence is believed to have taken place. The victim was then left by the suspect on Assembly Street.
A Leeds City Council spokesperson said: “West Yorkshire Police contacted us as the licensing authority on November 18 requesting a summary review.
“The hearing of the review will take place no later than December 16. As an interim measure, pending the outcome of that review, members of the licensing sub-committee met on November 20 and resolved to suspend the venue’s licence with immediate effect. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further on an individual case.”
Umar Asghar, 34, of Retford Place, Bradford, has been remanded into custody after being charged with two offences of rape, an offence of kidnap, and an offence of false imprisonment, in relation to the incident.
Mr Asghar, who the police statement notes self-identifies as Pakistani Asian, made his first appearance before Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 17.
Detectives from the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team continue to appeal for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact West Yorkshire Police by calling 101 or online, quoting reference 13250647938.