businesses or risk losing their liquor licences.

The warning came from the Liquor Licensing Authority after it received a list of complaints from Police about The Sparrows Nest on Reid Street and the Anchorage on North Shore Road, Devonshire.

Complaints ranged from loud music disturbances and fights resulting in injuries at both clubs to an alleged assault with intent to rape at The Sparrows Nest. That case, against a 60-year-old man, is pending before the Supreme Court.

Police said that was just one of many "ugly incidents'' that have taken place at the nightclubs.

Fights over sexual matters often broke out among drunken customers at The Sparrows Nest and often led to someone being hit over the head with an ashtray or bottle, the Authority heard.

And Police have found cannabis on customers and smelt it in the Reid Street nightclub.

An example given was a September 4 incident in which a man told Police he had been assaulted by another man at The Sparrows Nest.

When Police arrived at the club they found the accused man standing at the bar.

But Police said he could not be interviewed because he was "very drunk''.

The man, who later admitted throwing an ashtray at the complainant because he had made homosexual advances toward him, also had cannabis on him.

At the Anchorage a Portuguese national, who has left Bermuda, caused major disturbances on four separate occasions, Police said.

The last disturbance resulted in a brick being thrown through the window of a restaurant nearby.

Central parishes Chief Insp. Larry Smith said Police were concerned management at both clubs were not controlling undesirable customers and the public's safety was at risk.

But lawyer for Anchorage owner Mrs. Alreta Martin, Mr. Michael Smith, said she has been a good proprietor for the past 15 years.

He said there was no evidence to show people causing disturbances near Anchorage bought alcohol there.

He noted there was another nightclub in the area and said the Portuguese national was refused service on three of the four occasions Police mentioned.

Sparrows Nest manager Mr. Hubert Minors said he had taken precaution against future trouble at his nightclub by banning several undesirable customers.

"I have rehired my old assistant manager Mr. Larry Thomas,'' Mr. Minors said.

"We will get on top of the situation even if we have to ban everyone from the bar and do no business.'' His lawyer, Mr. Peter Smith, said it was difficult to deal with fights which "broke out because of sexual matters''.

Authority chairman the Wor. Will Francis said club owners were being informed of the law.

"We want to publicly put them on notice that they have to pull up their socks or the next time, whether Police object or not, we may not grant their licences,'' he said.