Working the Doors

Detectives investigating the murder of 28-year-old Kolawole Babadiya - who was fatally shot outside Bar SW8 in Wandsworth Road - have said more people could have been injured.

On the BBC's Crimewatch last night, Detective Inspector Tim Neligan made fresh appeals for witnesses sho saw the attack to come forward and reiterated a £20,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

D Insp Tim Neligan said: "We have no doubt there are people within the community who know who is responsible for Kolawole's murder and I would ask them to find the courage to come forward.

I wish to offer my personal assurance that all information will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

"Witnesses tell us the gunman, who was wearing a dark coat and standing approximately 30 metres from the club entrance, produced the weapon from under his coat and opened fire.

He is described as having been unable to control the high-powered weapon as he fired it, and it was only his incompetence in handling the gun that prevented more people being injured. We later recovered 17 cartridge cases from the scene."

"We believe Kolawole was attempting to shield a young woman who had been standing near him at the time he was hit by the gunfire.

"On the night of his death, Kolawole was simply doing his job; he was in the prime of his life, and his untimely death has left family and friends understandably devastated."

Anyone with information should call the Trident incident room on 020 8247 4554 or Crimestopers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Wetherspoon pubs beef up security with bouncer-tracking

And no clocking off early either...

JD Wetherspoon is rolling out a web-based security system across its 650 sites that allows the pub chain to automatically check that door staff have full Security Industry Authority (SIA) accreditation, ensuring that the right numbers of senior staff are on duty at all times.

So far about 150 Wetherspoon pubs are using the Trinity system from e-Cocoon, which is due to be rolled out to its entire pub estate in time.

Trinity works by logging in door staff reporting to work. It runs an automatic check to ensure they have a valid and current SIA badge, meaning they have completed relevant training programmes and undergone criminal record checks.

The system also logs staff out, saving time, money and resources for JD Wetherspoon by enabling it to calculate the time worked by all contract door staff and automatically generating invoices to send to the provider company. By allowing it to track expenses incurred against budget in real time, the software has also improved Wetherspoon’s financial management.

e-Cocoon’s managing director Chris Wootton said the Trinity system “not only drives business efficiencies for JD Wetherspoon, it also helps it to ensure that its customers are socialising in a secure environment.”

TV appeal over murdered Doorman

Relatives of a doorman shot outside the London club where he worked are to make an appeal on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

Kolawole Babadiya, 28, and another man who survived, were shot outside Bar SW8 in Wandsworth Road, Lambeth, south-west London, on 15 July.

Police will renew witness appeals and the owner of the bar will also be interviewed on Monday's show.

Urging anyone who knows the gunman to come forward, Det Insp Tim Neligan said all information would be treated in confidence.

"Our sole concerns are catching those responsible and taking guns off the streets so that no other families have to go through such a devastating loss," he said.

According to witnesses the gunman was standing about 30m (98 feet) from the entrance to the club when he pulled a machine gun from under his coat and opened fire.

He was described as being unable to control the gun as it fired and it was only his "incompetence", according to police, that prevented more people being injured.

Det Insp Neligan said they were keeping an open mind as to who the gunman was aiming at.

Police said Mr Babadiya, known as Kola, was a "totally innocent man," who was not involved in guns, drugs or gangs and was shielding a woman standing near him when he was shot.

City doorman fights back against racism

A Norwich doorman has decided to fight back against regular racist attacks by taking the offenders to court.

Jordanian national Murad Musa, who has lived and worked in Norwich since 2004, claims to have suffered repeated racist attacks whilst working on the doors of venues in the city.

After previously suffering in silence, the 31-year-old, from William White Place, decided enough was enough and to do his best to ensure his abusers end up in court.

And since March this year six people have been successfully prosecuted following investigations by Norfolk police.

Mr Musa said today “I just do my job and if I tell someone something they don't want to hear they'll start shouting all sorts of abuse such as 'paki, foreigner, immigrant and black bastard'.

“I'm sick of it. I don't mind being sworn at, but if someone attacks me because of my colour that is an illegal offence and I've decided to make a stand.”

Mr Musa works for a security company which place him at venues such as Office, Optic and the Slug and Lettuce, as well as pubs such as the Blueberry pub on Cowgate.

He said raising the profile and making the yobs realise he will not sit back and accept the offensive remarks was the best way to tackle the problem.

Glenn Alexander, managing director of city centre company Norwich Premier Security, where Mr Musa works, said the racism his employee has suffered should be taken seriously.

He said: “I have a responsibility to look after all my employees.

“When people get drunk they say all sorts of things. It's far too easy to say something about someone with colour - especially if they are a bit ignorant.”

Norfolk Constabulary confirmed the cases, one of which is still being dealt with.

Det Sgt Ian Fox, who leads Norwich's Hate Crime Unit, said: “No-one should have to suffer being subjected to any kind of racist abuse or criminal behaviour in our city whether in their leisure time or in the course of their work.

“We work hard together with other agencies, like the Norfolk and Norwich Race Equality Council (NNREC), both to robustly and swiftly investigate any complaints and to encourage people to report racist incidents to us.

“I applaud Mr Musa's bravery in reporting the incidents he has endured and I would encourage other people to view him as a positive example and to follow his lead.”

Bouncer plan hit as 9000 fail to sign up

MORE than half of Scotland's bouncers and security firms have failed to sign up to a licensing scheme that comes into force in a week.

New rules introduced by regulatory body the Security Industry Authority will affect around 17,000 security and door staff in Scotland, including up to 7000 in the Glasgow area.

But a week before the scheme, which is designed to get rid of rogue security workers, comes into force only 8000 have secured the licence they will need to do their job.

It means up to 9000 workers could face fines of up to £5000 or six months in prison for not having the required paperwork.

Security Industry Authority bosses say the industry has known about the legislation, which is effective from next Thursday, for two years and people have had plenty of time to apply for a licence.

A spokeswoman said: "There are always going to be those who think they do not need a licence, but there is no reason why they should not have one. No-one can say they did not know about it.

From next Thursday door supervisors, security guards, CCTV operators and bodyguards will all require a licence.

The documents, which come with a photographic security badge and individual number, are approved and distributed by SIA, which manages licensing of the private security industry in the UK.

They show the individual is properly trained, qualified and fit and proper for the role.

Those requiring a licence should have applied by the beginning of September to ensure they received their badge.

However, licensing experts believe there are a backlog of applications still being dealt that has been partly caused by the recent postal strike.

Eddie Tobin, of Glasgow Nightclub Forum, said: "In recent weeks there has been an enormous number of applications, but they have not been processed.

"The SIA said it would take four to six weeks to process, but that has been extended to eight.

"You would be mad to to think everybody will have their badge by next week, but they should have applied for one.

"I am sure there are some people who are ignoring the legislation, but that is a foolish thing to do.

Nightspots close up to say farewell to bouncer

Emma’s and Nelson’s in High Street, Gosport, are closing their doors to the public so hundreds of people can say goodbye to John Bookham.

The wake will take place about 3pm on Monday, October 29, after his funeral at Portchester Crematorium.

Hundreds of friends and family are expected to attend the pub and club where John was a bouncer and a regular customer.

Landlord Philip Cox said: ‘We decided with his family to do it here. While John was with us, he really loved life and I think he would have wanted it to be here and his family knew that.’

John, who was 6ft 4in tall and weighed 24 stone, died two days after he was assaulted outside a pub.

The 26-year-old bouncer was about to walk into the Waterfront Quay pub in the High Street, Gosport, at 11.40pm on September 16, when he was assaulted.

He was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, where he was treated for concussion and discharged.

But on September 18, he collapsed at home and died in hospital.

Police are still appealing for information about the incident. People are asked to call Hampshire Constab-ulary on 0845 045 45 45, quoting Operation Enterprise

Doormen are taught to use plastic handcuffs

DOORMEN are being trained in police ‘take-down’ techniques using plastic handcuffs after an increasing number of attacks by rowdy customers.

Security staff from Reading bars attended the town’s first plastic handcuffing training course at Face Bar in Chatham Street.

Traditionally only police officers and other official bodies have allowed their staff to use handcuffs or other restraints when arresting people.

But the training programme, accredited by the security industry sector body, Skills for Security, certifies private security personnel such as pub and club doormen, store detectives, security officers and bodyguards, to use similar equipment.

Four doormen from Face Bar took part in the course, which attracted six other members of security personnel from across the country.

Face Bar doorman Aaron Eastwood, 21, said: “The training was from top police professionals who know exactly what they’re doing.”

Course chief instructor, former Metropolitan and Humberside Detective Constable, Andy Walker, 43, designed the course. He said: “This is the first nationally accredited and insured handcuffing training course for private security personnel.

“Doormen, store detectives and security officers are facing threats and actual physical violence on a daily basis in some areas, particularly when they have to make citizen’s arrests.

"Our new course will help people to make those arrests more safely, protecting themselves and the public from harm.”

Participants are given a certificate of accreditation by Skills for Security and are also entitled to £50,000 worth of legal defence against civil or criminal prosecution and covered for up to £25,000 on personal injury.

Robert Clark, of Phoenix Security, Broad Street Mall, said: “In certain situations these handcuffs can be a massive help in restraining people under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

“It will be extremely beneficial in protecting the person who is using them. However, training of the person and policing of the scheme, is paramount – there must be clear guidelines in place.

“In this age we live in with insurance claims being made left right and centre, individuals must be very careful in the way they enforce their right to handcuff someone.

“In shopping malls, incidents of knife crime for example are far and few between, so we will probably not use these handcuffs, although we are looking into it. Doormen at clubs and pubs are another matter and I fully support their use.”

Supt Steve Kirk, local police authority commander for Reading, said: “Broadly speaking, anything that protects the safety of door staff has got to be a good thing by using these sorts of methods to calm situations down.

He added that the police use plastic handcuffs when they have to arrest a large number of people quickly.

Organisers are planning another course at a date to be arranged. Contact www.fedstraining.co.uk.

Hay resigns from Skills for Security

In an exclusive telephone interview with Security Management Today (SMT), Hay (also the former director of The Sorensen Centre for Security Research and Studies at Security House in Worcester) stated: “It’s an exciting stage in our industry’s evolution. That being the case, I’d like to go back into the security sector and make a meaningful contribution by using the contacts, skills and experience I’ve built up over many years. I have worked with some fantastic colleagues at SITO, the BSIA and latterly at Skills for Security. All of them have been and continue to be totally committed to skills development in the sector, and I wish them all the very best for the future.”

Hay is extremely keen on moving back into the security guarding sector, which he worked within prior to joining the Security Industry Training Organisation back in September 1998. “We’re seeing lots of consolidation post-regulation,” added Hay. “People are reflecting on their business development ideals, and looking to offer Gold Standard services. The 2012 Olympics will also offer a plethora of opportunities for service providers, so I feel that working in the guarding arena again would be a huge and exciting challenge.”

Hay assumed the general manager’s role at SITO when former chief executive Raymond Clarke left in August 2002. He did a tremendous job in ‘steadying the ship’, and was duly appointed managing director (a position he held concurrently with the deputy chief executive’s role at the BSIA until December 2005). Thereafter, Hay was instrumental in setting up Skills for Security alongside interim chief executive Linda Sharpe at a point where the training body moved away from being under the ‘umbrella’ of the Trade Association. The organisation has subsequently gone from strength to strength, running three National Conferences (for practitioners in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) and a National Training Awards Scheme, as well as publishing the excellent and popular ‘Skills InSight’ magazine.

Skills for Security is now firmly entrenched as the skills and standards setting body for the security business sector.

A long-time and highly-valued contributor to the pages of SMT (most notably in his own section entitled ‘Education and Training’), Hay wanted to pay a special tribute to David Dickinson, chief executive at the BSIA. “David gave me a huge amount of support and plenty of opportunities to develop my career, and I shall always be hugely grateful for that.”

Clampdown drives crime lords underground

SOME of Scotland's criminal masterminds are being driven underground by tough new regulations designed to clean up the private security industry.

Gangsters have links with a number of security firms, which are facing a major crackdown, with legislation coming into force next month requiring every door steward and guard to be vetted and licensed.

While police and industry experts say the move will go a long way to "cleaning up" the hitherto largely unregulated world of private security, they also admit to facing a "significant challenge" in tracking down criminals who are already attempting to move their illegal activities, including drug dealing, into other businesses.

Some 6,000 people have applied for a licence under the regulations, which will come into force on 1 November. All applicants are subject to criminal records and police intelligence checks to try to ensure only "suitable" individuals are permitted to work as stewards outside pubs and clubs, and as private security guards.

Only a handful have had their applications rejected because of criminal histories, but many more "security staff" are evading the new licensing requirements, and face being caught when police begin carrying out enforcement checks. Some are drug dealers operating in bars and nightclubs. Others use violence and intimidation to win security contracts for construction firms, before pilfering expensive materials from sites.

Chief Superintendent Andrew Laing, who is leading efforts to enforce the new rules for the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, said some of the "money men" behind these criminal operations were taking their business elsewhere.

He admitted there was a risk that some crime bosses would disappear from the police's intelligence radar but said he was confident that they would be tracked down eventually.

"The experience in England and Wales was that a number of criminal operators moved into other areas where their profile was slightly lower.

"But working with the Security Industries Association (SIA), Customs and Excise and others, we're able to keep them within our criminal intelligence system.

"There is the potential that some people will move further underground, and we are already aware of some trying to establish new criminal ventures. We are working with the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency to track them."

"These people are highly organised and are looking at new legislation and assessing the impact it will have on their operations. There is a significant challenge for us there, as these people are always looking for new ways to hide any new operations."

Criminal gangsters are understood to have long-established links with a number of Scottish security firms.

In 2004, Tom Buchan, the president of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents, took the extraordinary step of naming three firms based in the west of Scotland that he said had "improper" links to "big-time criminals".

They were Frontline Security, of Stepps, Glasgow; Osiris, of Hillington, Glasgow; and M&M, of Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow.

Paul Ferris, one of the most notorious figures in Scotland's underworld, was said to have been a "consultant" for Frontline Security, which was set up in 2003 after Ferris was released from a jail sentence for gun-running.

Ferris has been accused in the past of running security firms that crashed owing unpaid taxes before reopening under similar names, a scam known as "phoenixing".

Despite the challenges, the new security industry rules will provide Scotland's police with another weapon in the fight against organised crime.

Anyone working as a security guard, door steward or bodyguard, or supplying unlicensed security staff, without an SIA licence faces a maximum penalty of six months imprisonment and a fine of up to £5,000.

TASKFORCE BRIEFING

THE new security industry licensing rules will be top of the agenda at the first ever meeting of the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce today.

Andy Drane, the Security Industry Authority's deputy chief executive, will brief the taskforce on the introduction of the new system.

Justice secretary Kenny MacAskill, who will chair the meeting at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh, said the new body signalled the Scottish Government's determination to pursue serious organised crime.

This high-powered group also includes Lord Advocate Elish Angiolini, the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland, Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, Revenue and Customs and the Scottish Prison Service.

City door staff get metal detectors in knife crackdown

PUBS and clubs in Southampton are being issued with metal detectors to stop knives and guns being taken inside.

A total of 60 nightspots in the city centre area are being given the "wands" this weekend as police step up their fight against serious crime.

It is the latest initiative being taken by Hampshire police together with licensees in a bid to make Southampton a safe place to be at night.

It comes as the Daily Echo continues its campaign encouraging people to put down their knives, called Carrying a Blade, It's Not Sharp.

Officers patrolling the city's streets will be carrying the metal detectors which can be swiped over a person's body to detect metal implements.

Last night, as the first of the wands were distributed having been delivered only yesterday morning, door staff at some venues were also given brief training on how to use them.

A total of 60 were ordered and paid for by police in Southampton following feedback from members of the licensing trade as well as customers at pubs and bars.

The introduction of the metal detectors follows a pilot at one nightclub last month where they were used and hailed a success.

Police have introduced the scheme, the first of its kind in the south, in a bid to reduce the amount of violent crime and reassure people that Southampton is a safe place to be at night.

Inspector Tony Rowlinson, from Southampton police's community safety team, said: "The metal detectors are something we, together with the licensing trade, wanted to invest in as well as reassuring people that there will be no knives or guns inside nightspots in Southampton."

The introduction of the wands follows a number of fatal knifing incidents this year.

In February 15-year-old Dele Little died from a stab wound to the heart, in March carer Sarah Merritt died after being stabbed to death during a routine visit to her client while later that month teenager Lewis Singleton died from stab wounds as he walked home from a night out.

"Hampshire Constabulary are taking knife crime very seriously in terms of its response," added Insp Rowlinson.

"Operation Sharp is what has been conceived as a result of incidents this year and that involves a number of initiatives. As well as the clubs and bars being issued with wands, officers were also carrying them and using them in the city centre last night.

"The aim is to make Southampton a safe place to be at night. This is not something we will be doing all the time but we want to remind people that it is not acceptable to come to Southampton with a knife or a gun.

"The message to people is clear - If you want to come here with a weapon don't bother as you will be found, you will be arrested and you may well end up in prison."

The wands were starting to be distributed by staff from the police licensing team last night and will pick up anything metal including keys and money.

Insp Rowlinson added; "We will be taking a pragmatic approach to any search which sets off the detectors. If there is a detection it will lead to a more thorough pat down. We are pleased to be working in partnership with the licensing trade to make Southampton one of the safest places to come to for a night out in the south."

Ben Ralph, assistant manager of the Square Balloon in Above Bar, received their metal detector last night.

He said: "I think it's a really good thing. The licensing trade has been working closely with the police to make Southampton a safer place to be at night and we think our customers will respond quite well because tjey will feel safer."

Rob Lovell, head of security, added: "I think people will be quite receptive because it will obviously cut down any potential problems with knives. We have been doing random searches for some time but have never recovered any weapons or had any problems with them. It's nice and reassuring to see the police working so closely with door staff."

Doormen due at seminar on night safety

The aim of the session, set to be held next Tuesday, October 23, is for door staff to have a chance to talk about Nightsafe issues, including violent crime in the town centre. They will have the opportunity to meet the police and air any issues they have.

Northampton's Pubwatch organisers contacted all town centre pubs and clubs that have door supervisors to invite them to the event. More than 60 door staff are expected to attend.

Community Safety Sergeant Mark Worthington said: "We will be talking about current issues affecting Northampton's night-time economy. We will also be presenting our expectations in relation to door supervision."

The seminar will consist of a short presentation followed by questions to a panel of police and a representative from the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Pc Dave Bryan, licensing officer for Northamptonshire West, said: "I hope the outcome will be a better understanding of each others' roles and difficulties in performing those roles. It is all about reaching the same goal of reducing town centre violence."

Nightsafe was launched by Northamptonshire Police and the county Police Authority in 2005 and involves a partnership approach to target and reduce alcohol-related crime and disorder

Stabbed, punched, kicked and bottled

A BOUNCER today lifted the lid on the shocking scale of drink-fuelled violence he and his fellow doormen face each weekend.

Danny Ryan is just 23. Already he has been stabbed, bottled, kicked, punched and abused for simply trying to do his job.

He earns £10 an hour – but each night he takes his life in his hands as he tackles the drunken thugs responsible for the tripling of violent crime in Church Street in the last three years.

And today Danny, the head doorman at the Lighthouse club, on Church Street, spoke about life on the frontline.

Danny, who lives in Dallas Road, in the Owton Manor area of town, has needed hospital treatment on several occasions after being caught up in trouble during his time as a doorman at various venues around the town.

He said: "I have worked the doors for about four years now, at pubs and clubs all over the town.

"I saw the comments in the Mail about the police on Church Street not being paid enough on a weekend - and I think the doorstaff should fall into that category as well.

"We are on a pittance of a wage, yet we risk life and limb every time we go to work.

"I have been stabbed in the back on one occasion, and in a separate incident I needed staples in my head after being hit with a bottle during one fight.

"We are often dealing with the trouble before the police get there, trying to keep people apart or restraining them until the police arrive.

"I'm not surprised the figures have gone up, because I witness trouble every weekend.

"I clock on at about 10.30pm on a Friday or a Saturday and until I clock off at 4.30am I am in and out of the club all night.

"There are four of us on the door at the Lighthouse and if you throw someone out and it kicks off outside you can end up with a mini riot on your hands with everyone having their say.

"The problem with Church Street is that by the time people get there, they are full of drink, and it's definitely got worse since the extended drinking time came in."

"It tends to be quieter up Victoria Road because people start off up there but by the time they get to us, the risk of bother is greater because they have had more to drink."

Danny, who works during the day as an IT technician for Kingfisher Computers, in Church Street, admits the level of violence has left him contemplating whether to quit as a doorman.

He added: "There are times before a shift you wonder whether it is worth it. "We get paid about £10 an hour and I see the job as a way of boosting my earnings as my other job is part-time.

"But when you consider we are basically the front line for any trouble and we're constantly being either verbally or physically abused then you do sometimes question whether or not to rap it in.

"But we do have to work hard to get a licence to work the doors, it's actually easier getting a passport than a door licence and I think if the clubs employed more of us then the trouble might die down a bit more."

Doorman's ear is bitten off in club

CLUBBERS watched in horror as a man sunk his teeth into a doorman's ear and ripped it from his head.

The young thug attacked the bouncer as he was being escorted from Liquid & Envy nightclub last week.

A row is believed to have broken out between a man and his girlfriend at the club, in Station Way, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The man followed his partner into the ladies toilets, which led to staff intervening. He then turned violent and resisted attempts to restrain him.

The News understands the loose ear was put in a bag as medical teams rushed to his aid.

The victim, who is believed to be Chirag Patel, is now taking time off work to have surgery.

Russell Quelch, manager of Liquid & Envy, insists the incident was a one-off and has sprung to the defence of his club.

He said: "It is not the big event that it seems.There wasn't even a fight. It was a quick incident.

A spokesman from South East Coast Ambulance Service confirmed that they attended the incident.

The spokesman said: "We were called out at 12.40 am on September 26. A male patient suffered an injury to his ear and first aid was being administered before we arrived. He was taken to East Surrey Hospital, in Redhill."

*A 22-year-old man has been arrested and charged with GBH with intent in connection with the incident at Liquid & Envy nightclub.

He appeared at Crawley Magistrates' Court last Thursday and has been remanded in custody.

Drunk avoids jail for attack on Doorman

A DRUNK man who grabbed a doorman around the throat and told him he would kill him and his family after being thrown out of a pub has avoided jail.

Guildford Crown Court heard on September 21 that Anthony Humphries, 27, was ejected from the Salt House, in Epsom, at 9.30pm on November 25 last year.

Humphries, of Berry Meade, Ashtead, then grabbed doorman Malik Khan around the throat and after a short scuffle, swore and threatened to kill him and his family.

Humphries, who has a long history of convictions including affray and robbery in 1995, robbery again in 1996 and ABH in 1999, pleaded guilty to battery.

Martin Rutherford, prosecuting, told the court: "Mr Khan noticed the defendant was acting in an agitated fashion and attempted to calm him down.

"Moments later Mr Humphries became agitated again and raised his fists, shouting to all and sundry, 'Come and have a go'.

"After being ejected from the premises, the defendant lunged forward and grabbed Mr Khan around the throat.

"There was a short scuffle and he told Mr Khan he would kill him and his family."

Johnathan Zachary, defending, said his client felt as though he was being unfairly treated.

He said: "He was inebriated, but he felt as though he was being discriminated against after it was decided that Mr Humphries did not conform to the required dress code.

"Mr Humphries experienced severe pain because he has a crushed spine and a shoulder that is prone to dislocating very easily.

"He was worried that the force being used by the doorman would force him out of work."

Judge Michael Addison told Humphries he had come very close to a custodial sentence, but instead handed him a fine of £500.

Judge Addison added: "It seems clear to me that you get into trouble when you drink excessively.

"All you have to do is drink a little less and you will have more money to pay the fine."

Man jailed for violent attack

A MAN who dresses in a military uniform was sent to prison at Worcester Crown Court for violence outside a nightclub.

Thomas Dyke was refused entry to the Mirage club in Kidderminster when he turned up drunk.

He made threats to kill door staff before going to a friend's house nearby and arming himself with a knife, said Charles Hardy, prosecuting. Dyke returned to the club dressed in military uniform bent on revenge and tried to stab a doorman, but was pushed away.

He then smashed a window in the club door. Police found the knife dumped behind a wall. Dyke, aged 32, of Old Ford Walk, Walshes estate, Stourport, admitted affray, possession of a blade and cannabis and criminal damage.

Jailing him for 21 months, Judge John Cavell said his behaviour showed a pattern of violence which risked causing serious harm to the public. The offence happened on February 13 just before midnight. Dyke claimed to doormen he was in the Irish Guards.

Abigail Nixon, defending, said Dyke left the Army in 1993 and had been affected when a friend was shot at his side. He claimed the doormen had taunted him about his uniform and he felt this was an insult to all his friends who had died.

Dyke, who wore his uniform in the dock, had taken seven overdoses because of depression but had recently obtained an apprenticeship in a tattoo shop. He had kept out of trouble for five years and not touched alcohol.

Help needed to catch brave bouncer's killer

The family of a bouncer shot while shielding a woman at a Wandsworth nightclub has made an emotional appeal for the public's help in catching his killer.

Kolawole Ojo Babadiya died after he and another man were shot on July 15 at around 1.37am at the ticket only SW8 Club Bar in Wandsworth Road.

Officers believe Mr Babadiya, a bouncer at the club, was hit by shots from a high powered weapon as he tried to protect a customer standing close by.

He received a single gunshot wound to the head, while the second man was discharged from hospital after being treated for muscle tissue damage.

Officers admit they are no closer to caching the 28-year-old's killer and are offering a £20,000 reward for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of those responsible for his death.

Speaking at a police press conference today Jumoke Osho, Mr Babadiya's sister, said: "Kola's death is a tragic loss to the whole family. What pains us most in our grieving are the questions that are still unanswered - who did this and why? What was their motive?

"If these questions can be answered it will go a long way to helping us cope with our loss.

"We beg anyone who knows anything about who did this to please come forward; please help to ease the pain of our family losing a brother, a son and an uncle."

Mr Babadiya's aunt, Seyi Olusanye, said: "Kola was a gentle guy; he was big but he had a big heart as well. He was not involved in drugs or gangs - we are not that kind of family. We are all in shock but family and friends are rallying round to support us."

She added: "My message to the person who did this would be to come forward. It may be the way to save yourself from sinking deeper into the world of crime. We are ready to forgive you but you have to come forward."

According to witnesses the gunman was wearing a long, dark coat when he opened fire using a high-powered weapon - which he had difficulty controlling.

Anyone with information should call 020 8247 4554 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ATTACKER LOCKED UP FOR SENTENCE BREACH

Window cleaner Alan Rackley has been jailed more than a year after a city nightclub incident in which a popular doorman died.The 22-year-old, of Great Western Road, was sent to prison for two-and-a-half months yesterday.

Rackley was found guilty of breaching a suspended six-month prison sentence, imposed last year for common assault, assaulting a police officer and driving while disqualified, with excess alcohol and without insurance.

Rackley assaulted 20-year-old Adam Wyatt in Liquid nightclub on September 3 last year.

Although Mr Wyatt, from Hardwicke, died, there was no evidence the blows inflicted by Rackley led to his death.

Prosecuting barrister Tim Hills, presenting the case on behalf of Gloucester Probation Service told city magistrates Rackley breached his curfew conditions on four separate occasions and failed to attend a required activity.

Jonathan Hurd, defending, said: "My client does not want to go to custody and these proceedings have made him realise what is at stake."

Rackley denied breaching the suspended sentence order but was convicted after a trial.

Bouncer murder: Gunman's 'incompetence' prevented more bloodshed