spots.

Liquor licence chiefs say they need a week to consider the evidence for and against the new licence for the Spinning Wheel on Court Street, in Hamilton.

Police have objected because of a string of incidents reported at the club which they say prove that the management is failing to exercise proper control over the premises.

Police have had reports of fights, including serious assaults, theft and drugs being used on the premises.

But manager and part-owner Mr. Gladwyn Ming said action has been taken on each occasion to stop the incidents.

Mr. Ming has been manager of the Spinning Wheel since it opened 23 years ago.

Chief Insp. Larry Smith said Police were opposing the licence on grounds that the management was unable to properly control incidents at the two-storey club.

Chief Insp. Smith said during the latest licensing year there had been eight assaults, two thefts and a case of Police officers being able to smell cannabis burning.

The assaults included an alleged assault by a security man, which is still going through the courts, and the case of man having his leather jacket stolen when he left it on a seat.

Mr. Ming said customers were asked to go through a metal detector before entering the club and knives, metal bars and other weapons were taken from them.

He said: "We try to do the best we can to run a peaceful club. In cases that get out of hand we call the Police. We do not allow people on the premises with drugs. They would be ejected from the club.'' Chief Insp. Smith said: "The premises has grown up over the years and the occupancy capacity has also increased. It is a fine facility but it is too big for one manager to exercise proper control over.

"As a result, despite having security personnel, we see a lack of control of the many incidents that have occurred .'' Club lawyer Mr. Arnold Francis QC said: "It seems incontrovertible that Police have been called on more than one occasion, but I am bound to say that from Bosnia to Bermuda people generally are not as well behaved.

"We must be careful not to blame the management or this licensed premises for the behaviour of the populace. How do they deal with these matters when there are robust young people all over the world? Look at England where they are breaking down football fields and rioting.'' He said Mr. Ming had been described as a "galloping major'' in his attempts to watch out for problems.