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Boys' fight club in Preston retains licence | Boys' fight club in Preston retains licence |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A Lancashire social club which staged a fight between two eight-year-old boys in a cage breached its licence, councillors have said. | A Lancashire social club which staged a fight between two eight-year-old boys in a cage breached its licence, councillors have said. |
But Preston City Council ruled the club could keep its licence subject to new conditions. | But Preston City Council ruled the club could keep its licence subject to new conditions. |
It followed film which appeared on the internet of two boys wrestling in front of an adult audience at Greenlands Labour Club in Preston on 10 September. | It followed film which appeared on the internet of two boys wrestling in front of an adult audience at Greenlands Labour Club in Preston on 10 September. |
It must give 21 days notice of any event involving children under 10. | It must give 21 days notice of any event involving children under 10. |
The video showed the youngsters fighting without complete protective padding and headgear. | The video showed the youngsters fighting without complete protective padding and headgear. |
The council's licensing sub-committee met earlier to review the club's licence. | The council's licensing sub-committee met earlier to review the club's licence. |
No criminal investigation | No criminal investigation |
The council's deputy leader, John Swindells, a member of the licensing authority who called for the review, said he was "appalled" by the footage and was concerned about the potential for harm to the children. | The council's deputy leader, John Swindells, a member of the licensing authority who called for the review, said he was "appalled" by the footage and was concerned about the potential for harm to the children. |
Greenlands club owner Michelle Anderson said after the meeting: "We are very pleased with this decision. | |
"They have confirmed that we can hold similar events in the near future which promote healthy sporting events in the city." | |
She said: "The children were not doing cage fighting, they were just grappling. There was no punching, kicking or striking. | She said: "The children were not doing cage fighting, they were just grappling. There was no punching, kicking or striking. |
"The event was perfectly legal. There was only one fight for kids, which was a demonstration fight. The other fights were for adults." | "The event was perfectly legal. There was only one fight for kids, which was a demonstration fight. The other fights were for adults." |
Lancashire Police said they had looked into the "mixed martial arts event" and found no laws had been broken so it was not subject to a criminal investigation. | Lancashire Police said they had looked into the "mixed martial arts event" and found no laws had been broken so it was not subject to a criminal investigation. |
Authorities and interested parties were invited to send in representations for the hearing. | Authorities and interested parties were invited to send in representations for the hearing. |
There was no feedback from authorities but the council received 18 letters in support for the Chatburn Road club, many from other sporting organisations which use it regularly. | There was no feedback from authorities but the council received 18 letters in support for the Chatburn Road club, many from other sporting organisations which use it regularly. |
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt described the video as "very barbaric". | Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt described the video as "very barbaric". |
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