Lax security and blatant drug dealing at a Southal

Lax security and blatant drug dealing at a Southall ‘rave’
club led to a double tragedy in which one youth died and another
was sent to jail.

Kevin Kirwin, 19, killed 21-year-old Michael Tingle with his
penknife when a single stab wound penetrated his abdominal aorta
(main artery).

Both youths had managed to sneak knives through the Buzz
Club’s security before the fatal clash over a drug deal, the Old
Bailey heard.

Kirwin was sentenced to four years detention in a young
offenders institution.

He admitted manslaughter for the April 11
slaying last year.

Judge Kenneth Richardson QC told him: ‘This is a tragedy for
Mr Tingle and his family and no sentence I can properly pass can
make up for that.

‘
The court was told Kirwin managed to get the penknife into
the Tudor Rose nightclub in Southall because one of his friends
knew the bouncers and they were let in a side door.

Inside, he complimented the six pints he had drunk earlier
that day with cannabis and ecstacy, the court heard.

The fatal clash came when Kirwin’s friend bought some
ecstacy for them both.

The prosecution claim Kirwin became
enraged that he had been overcharged.

When he clashed with Mr Tingle, he lashed out with the knife
he used for his City and Guild studies and which had been in his
pocket.

Mrs Linda Stern QC, defending, claimed Kirwan was only joking
about not going to pay.

Suddenly he found himself facing Mr
Tingle and a mob of his cronies inside the club.

‘He just wanted to mess about but no doubt it would have
been an affront to whoever was supplying drugs.

‘Mr Tingle came over and Kirwin felt very threatened and
remembered the knife.

He took it out and started waving it
about.

‘
Kirwin, who only had the knife because he used it in his
painting and decorating course, only remembers waving the knife
around and not the actual stabbing.

Mr Tingle, of Osterley Park Road, Southall, collapsed and
died on the spot.

Kirwin and his friends vanished and later tried to hatch a
story to cover the attack, omitting any reference to drugs or
knives.

But shortly after Kirwan admitted his guilt.

In court, Kirwin, a student of Priory Gardens, South Ruislip,
admitted manslaughter.

Judge Richardson told him: ‘I am told this death was part of
the rave scene and in some ways it is typical.

‘Drugs and drink were plainly circulating at the club and I
am quite sure were very much part of what went on and the
tragedy that took place that night.

‘You were a full and willing participant of that scene.

‘Because of you and because you had that knife with you that
night, a young man with his life before him is now dead.

‘
The stab wound to the heart was ‘chance’ but the judge said
anyone who armed themselves with a knife must realise that such
an injury might be caused.

Kirwin did not react as he was sentenced to four years detention
in a young offenders institution.

ENDS