Cops fighting to close Love Machine after shooting, alleged sex assault

Police say Prahran hotspot Love Machine should be closed for good after hundreds of allegedly criminal incidents, including a double killing.

Police want the troubled Love Machine nightclub closed after compiling a dossier of violence, sex offences and licensing issues at the Prahran hotspot.

The force has applied to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission for the venue’s liquor licence to be reviewed after a litany of issues in recent years.

The Herald Sun understands police last week handed over to the VGCCC a lengthy submission supporting their case for Love Machine to close.

There have allegedly been hundreds of criminal incidents, emergency call-outs and liquor licence issues at the venue in recent years.

Incidents linked to the club in recent years have included a double-fatal drive-by shooting, a VIP area glassing which sparked suburban gunfire and an alleged attempted rape.

Victoria Police confirmed it had lodged an application with the VGCCC over a venue in Malvern Rd, Prahran.

“The application has recommended to the VGCCC that it conduct an enquiry into whether there are grounds for disciplinary action against the venue in question” a spokeswoman said.

“As the matter remains before the VGCCC, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”

Aaron Khalid Osmani was killed in a shooting outside Love Machine.

Richard Arow was also tragically killed in the shooting outside the nightclub.

Two men face murder charges in the Supreme Court over the infamous 2019 double killing at the venue.

Allan Fares and Jacob Elliott – the son of slain underworld figure Nabil Maghnie – have pleaded not guilty to the murder of security guard Aaron Khalid Osmani, 37, and patron Richard Arow, 28 outside the club in the early hours of April 14.

The trial, expected to run for six weeks, has heard the fatal shooting was allegedly sparked after Mr Elliot’s younger half-brother was ejected from the club hours earlier.

The Herald Sun in January revealed the nightclub’s boss, Max Porritt, had been charged by anti-gangs detectives after allegedly failing to hand over CCTV footage of a nightclub affray in July last year.

Mr Porritt is due to front court this month charged with obstructing police.

It is understood the charge relates to a shootout between two warring parties in Greenvale on July 11, 2021 that was sparked by a fight in the VIP lounge of the club hours earlier.

And a young man has been charged with the attempted rape of a woman in the nightclub’s toilet on New Year’s Day 2020.

Brandon Arfaoui, 22, is accused of attempting to force the young woman to perform sex acts on him after allegedly locking her in a unisex cubicle at the Prahran venue.

During his failed bail application in November, it emerged police were investigating a separate complaint by a woman who said she was raped in the same cubicle 10 minutes later.

Mr Arfaoui will contest his charges in May.

There have allegedly been hundreds of criminal incidents, emergency call-outs and liquor licence issues at the venue in recent years.

In April last year, the Herald Sun revealed Love Machine’s stocks of vodka had been confiscated by divisional licensing officers for analysis.

There have been other licensing and Covid-related breaches in the past two years.

The VGCCC said it would “make an assessment in due course.”

“The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) can confirm it has received a request from Victoria Police requesting the VGCCC conduct an inquiry under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 into whether there are grounds to take disciplinary action against Sterling Nightclubs Pty Ltd trading as Love Machine, Malvern Road, Prahran 3181,” a statement from the organisation said.

Police have for some time been running Operation Safenight to tidy up anti-social behaviour, public disorder and licensing issues in Prahran and St Kilda.

They have worked with business operators and run more than 150 venue and patron behaviour checks this year.