A local nightclub which was the scene of an alleged sexual assault by Windsor Spitfire Ben Johnson against a 16-year-old female was shut down Thursday night from serving alcohol and is facing having its liquor licence revoked.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has issued an interim suspension to Mynt nightclub pending a hearing to determine the establishment’s fate, said spokeswoman Lisa Murray.
Only a handful of bars in Ontario face having their liquor licence permanently revoked each year, while about a dozen receive an interim suspension until a hearing can be held, she said.
The St. Patrick’s Day incident involving the 18-year-old hockey player was a primary factor leading to the severe sanctions against the nightclub, according to the ACGO order.
“Intoxicated minors” were allowed into Mynt on March 17, plus they were allowed to purchase and consume more alcohol without being asking for identification, the order says.
It also noted how Johnson “engaged in disorderly conduct” in the woman’s washroom against the 16-year-old female who was injured and how he was later charged criminally with sexual assault.
The order also lists two other separate incidents leading to the licence suspension and move to revoke.
On April 27, an intoxicated male left Mynt, then was allowed back in by staff where he was permitted to remain in an intoxicated state. The following night on April 28, a male customer was said to be pouring alcohol directly from a liquor bottle into the mouths of female patrons.
Mynt does allow customers to purchase a full bottle of alcohol, but Murray explained: “it is still incumbent on the licensee and his staff to ensure patrons are monitored to ensure they do not become intoxicated or disorderly, and that activities such as the one described do not take place.”
The registrar has “reasonable grounds” that the licence holder will “not carry on business in accordance with the law and with integrity and honesty,” concludes the order signed by Jean Major, CEO and registrar for AGCO.
“As a result, the safety of patrons attending at these premises and the general public is called into question,” the order said. “It is not in the public interest for licensed premises that allow dangerous situations to occur in them to continue to operate.”
The nightclub’s owner has 15 days to respond to the ACGO order. He did not immediately respond to a message left by The Star.
More to come…
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