Kelsey’s bouncer attacks student

Adam Tindall, a second-year Film and Literature student, has claimed that he was unjustly assaulted by a bouncer outside Kelseys pub, in Leamington Spa on 1 May.

After being refused entry on the basis that the student was too drunk, the situation escalated with the result of Mr Tindall being gripped in a headlock and thrown to the ground.

Mr Tindall had been drinking at a friend’s house, then at the Jug and Jester, before moving on to Kelseys at around 11.30pm.

The student showed one of the bouncers his provisional driver’s license in his wallet to which the bouncer responded by saying that Mr Tindall was too drunk to go inside.

Mr Tindall explained: “I had not done anything to show that I was too drunk. No stumble up the stairs, no anything.”

He suspects that the bouncer may have treated him unfairly because of a homophobic reaction: “a friend of a friend heard that this bouncer, is intensely homophobic, and perhaps he took my skinny jeans as a sign of homosexuality.”

“I was pretty shocked; I had never been denied entrance to a bar or a club before, even when I was in much worse states. I tried to talk to him and ask why he thought I was too drunk, but he would not give any reason.

Mr Tindall explained that the other bouncer seemed more sympathetic, however he decided to stand by his colleague’s decision. Mr Tindall’s friend attempted to speak with someone inside the pub in a more superior position, however no other staff members were willing to assess the situation themselves.

He remained outside talking to the bouncers for half an hour and admits that he became angry as he thought the bouncers to be “completely unreasonable”.

While talking to the bouncers, he tried to light a cigarette which fell out, leaving the filter. “I did not realise this for a few seconds, which must have made me look pretty wasted, but that happens to me sober and I was too focused on trying to reason with them to notice,” said Mr Tindall.

At this point, with no physical provocation or attempt at forced entry, the bouncer put him in a headlock and threw him out into the middle of the street, ripping his t-shirt, splitting his lip and injuring his hand and knee.

Mr Tindall reported the incident to the police who took his details but did not follow up with the report the next day.

A few weeks after the incident took place, Mr Tindall returned to Kelseys and was allowed inside.

However, a couple of hours later, the bouncer that had previously denied Mr Tindall entry returned and promptly ordered him to leave.

Mr Tindall left without much ceremony but managed to arrange a meeting with the police the next day. The officers explained that there was nothing they could do as it was the bouncer’s word against his and that he was doing his job, “with whatever force he deemed necessary.”

Similar incidents have taken place at other pubs and clubs in Leamington in the past. In 2012, students created a Facebook Group called ‘Abused by Smack Bouncers’ to increase awareness about the behaviour of Leamington bouncers.

Another complaint was made in 2010 when two male members of Warwick Pride were warned by a bouncer that if they did not stop kissing they would be thrown out of the club. This incident resulted in the firing of the bouncer.

Mr Tindall, however, has yet to receive an apology for what he feels is unjust treatment. “I could understand if the violence was in order to restrain me, or if I had attacked him, but I did not, I was just trying to talk to him and understand an unjust situation.

“It is crazy that thugs can be employed as bouncers, decide unfairly who is allowed in because they do not like their face or due to other prejudiced discrimination.”

Eloise Millard, a second-year English literature student added: “I definitely think that it was victimisation. I have been in Kelsey’s and witnessed a guy throw up all over the sofas and he was not dragged out by the scruff of his neck.

“He was singled out, the real reason why that happened we will never really know. It is unfair and unjustified – Adam now can not participate in what is a big part of Warwick student culture through no fault of his own.”

Kelsey’s have been contacted for comment, but have not replied.