Club brawl allegedly led to hit-and-run

The man and woman, both 23, were left with cuts and bruises after a car hit them at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park.

Witnesses claim to have seen them being thrown out of Chicago’s bar and nightclub after an argument with another couple just moments before the suspected road rage incident.

The man, from Pitsea, and woman, from Basildon, were both taken to Basildon Hospital for treatment, but their injuries are not believed to be serious.

One onlooker, who did not want to be named, said: “One couple were thrown out of the back exit and another couple out of the front. The bouncers did try to keep them apart, but they could not have pictured this happening.

“There were police everywhere.

“It’s lucky the man and woman weren’t more seriously hurt. I guess the car wasn’t going very fast when it hit them.”

After reports of the incident, police followed a black BMW to Ely Way, Basildon, and arrested the driver and passenger.

A 27-year-old man, from Billericay, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences and released on police bail until Monday, July 27, while further inquiries are carried out.

A 20-year-old woman, also from Billericay, was cautioned for assaulting a police officer.

Festival Leisure Park is currently undergoing a major revamp to make it more familyfriendly.

Liquid, Envy, JJ’s and New York New York have all closed to make way for two new restaurants and a soft play centre.

Work is also under way to transform the existing Sky Bar into a new nightclub, called Pandora.

Cabbie Ralph Morgan, from the Basildon Hackney Carriage Association, said: “When Festival Leisure was busier, there used to be quite a lot of trouble.

“You don’t really hear of things kicking off like this any more because it’s very quiet down there now.”

Anyone with information about the incident, which happened at about 1.15am on Saturday, May 23, can call Det Con Ian Burgess at Basildon CID on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.