A BASEMENT bar in Yate has been closed after hundreds of underage teenagers faced being crushed at a student party. Landlord Kevin Langmaid, who has been running Stanshawes Court Hotel, in Sundridge Park, for four years, admitted more than twice the number of people his license permits were allowed into the cellar bar on Friday, April 17.

Insp Rob Barker told Northavon magistrates yesterday that police counted 322 people inside the bar and close to 100 outside, despite a licensing limit of 150.

Insp Barker said: "The courtyard was full of young people, aged approximately 15 to 17.

"Clearly some were worse for wear from drink and they were being very, very noisy using obscene language.

"I had to push my way in and I mean push my way in, it was quite a struggle to get in.

"The sheer numbers meant there was the potential of tripping down the stairs and being crushed."

He said the three rooms in the basement bar were completely full and there was a ‘very dark atmosphere’.

Only one doorman was seen by police. "I thought it was dangerously out of control in terms of injuries to young people," said Insp Barker.

"I have done a number of licensing visits in my role and this is by far and away the most out of control nightclub I have visited."

Defending, Joanna Cochrane said sixth form students from Chipping Sodbury School had organised the event to raise money for a trip to India.

She said: "Mr Langmaid admits this was an error of judgement and he regrets what happened on Friday night.

"He went out to speak to police and volunteered to close the bar."

Langmaid, 61, who lives at the Marstons pub, said: "The girl who organised last Friday took no notice of any authority at all.

"She just sold tickets and tickets and tickets."

A temporary closure order of the cellar bar was issued during the raid and magistrates closed the bar until a licensing hearing of South Gloucestershire Council on May 5.

Chairman of the bench Alison Giarratana said two over 35 nights, on April 23 and April 30, could go ahead.

She said: "We are satisfied that this is necessary to ensure public safety and that no public nuisance is caused.

"We were particularly concerned to learn of overcrowding, the lack of supervision, underage drinking and nuisance incidents."

Acting Inspector of the Yate neighbourhood policing team, Adrian Fallows, said police were aware of other parties which had led to late-night trouble in Stanshawes Court Drive and Elmwood.

He said 25 percent of residents who had spoken to officers said they were considering moving because of noise, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

"I feel that a lot of this is stemming from the large parties and young people who go to Stanshawes Court Hotel."

Outside court, Insp Fallows told the Gazette: "We are pleased that we have got the extension of the partial closure order of the cellar bar and we are looking towards the licensing committee hearing with a view to arranging a long-term solution."