Licensees reassured after brutal pub garden attack caught on CCTV

Licensees have been assured they are often not at fault for incidents in pub gardens when the venue is closed - after shocking CCTV footage emerged of a man brutally attacking a woman.

Detectives at the Met today released footage of a man they want to speak to, who is seen punching and kicking a woman outside a pub on Brick Lane, London.

The PMA’s licensing lawyers Poppleston Allen confirmed that, as the pair never entered the pub, and it was closed at the time of the attack, there are no licensing implications for the pub.

Detectives investigating an assault on a woman have issued CCTV footage of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.

Police were called to the incident on 23 August at 6:30am. A 27-year-old woman had met a man in Westminster before they both went to the pub in Brick Lane.

The pub was shut but the garden area open.

When the woman decided to leave, the man assaulted her, punching and kicking her. He also tried to pull off her clothes.

The woman was able to push her attacker away and run off down Brick Lane. She suffered minor injuries.

The man is described by the Met as black and slim with short hair. He wore a blue cap, grey zipped hooded top, jeans and black trainers.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who may recognise the man believed responsible or who witnessed the assault.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 188656 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.