Turks Bar night duty manager DJ Morris looks at a patron's ID. Photo / Warren Buckland
Turks Bar night duty manager DJ Morris looks at a patron's ID. Photo / Warren Buckland
A director of Turks Bar says reports Falcon Walsh was drinking in the bar before he viciously assaulted a man in Havelock North are false.
Falcon Kaine Walsh, 18, who had no criminal convictions, was sentenced on Wednesday to two years and six months in prison in Hastings District Court,after admitting he punched and kicked a man on the ground. He was 17 at the time of the attack.
Hawke's Bay Today previously reported Mr Walsh had been drinking in Turks Bar on the night of the assault but a director of the bar, Jeremy Smith, said this was untrue - Mr Walsh tried to gain entry but was denied.
"Turks Bar management and the directors have worked closely with the police on this case and I can categorically state that Falcon was denied entry into Turks [Bar] on that night."
Mr Smith said the bar had CCTV footage of Mr Walsh being refused entry. He was later seen interacting with the assault victim outside the bar in the footage around closing time, but never set foot inside.
"He definitely wasn't in the bar. Police have done a full investigation and they were satisfied we did our job properly."
Turks Bar runs a joint programme with police to target underage people using fake IDs.
"We're sending a very clear message ... we'll do whatever possible to keep them out ... As an industry we do not like being put in a position where underage people get into licensed premises, as it puts our business at risk."
Turks Bar night duty manager DJ Morris said underage people caught trying to get into the bar were handed over to police. "We're having a bit of trouble with a lot of underagers lately, but our doormen are given licensing training."
