Bars closed after glassings horror.

Byline: LAURA JONES 

TWO bars were shut down for two weeks after a catalogue of violence.

Incidents at the two Southport venues included four people being glassed in the head, a man's ear bitten off and victims left needing plastic surgery.

Coast and Studio 55, in Waverley Street, which operate on the same licence held by David Rivett, had their right to serve alcohol suspended for two weeks after Merseyside police applied to Sefton council.

Mr Rivett now has to comply with a tough set of police demands to get his licence back.

Sergeant Nick Cowell, of Merseyside police, told the council's licensing committee six people were permanently scarred by violent incidents.

He said: "These people are disfigured for life. Every time they look in the mirror, in that reflection they see these injuries.

"Those injuries can be prevented.

"It is a grave issue and it requires immediate attention."

Talking councillors through six late-night incidents over the past 10 months, Mr Cowell said drinkers had repeatedly brandished glass bottles as weapons to inflict horrendous wounds.

The latest attack, which prompted yesterday's review, took place at 3.30am on Sunday July 19, when a 24-year-old man was bitten and glassed in the VIP area of Studio 55.

Mr Cowell said: "The injured party is still undergoing surgical treatment at this time.

"A man was attacked inside the premises by a group of six males.

"The attack was furious - it was vicious. The male was subjected to a protracted attack."

He said neither the police nor an ambulance were called.

Instead the blood-soaked 24-year-old walked from the bar unaided and called for help himself.

He had deep bites to the chest and back of the head and a large gash to his cheek where his face was sliced open by a glass.

The victim had to have plastic surgery and one man was arrested.

CAPTION(S):

VIOLENCE: Coast and Studio 55, in Waverley Street, Southport, have been closed