By Rebecca Peppiatt
The Scarborough venue where two bouncers were allegedly caught on camera assaulting a man they were trying to evict off the dance floor, has said the men in question will not be returning to work there.
Enver Ibrahimovic, 37 and Nezir Ibrahimovic, 32, were arrested on Sunday after an alleged altercation at the Lookout Bar just after 8.15pm.
The brothers were working as security guards, but employed by a third party as contractors.
Hours after they were released on bail, the management team at The Lookout told WAtoday the men will not be returning to work at the venue.
“We are aware of a deeply disturbing incident that took place at our venue last night involving security personnel and a patron,” they said.
“The security personnel involved will not be returning to The Lookout.
“We are cooperating fully with police, and we are conducting an internal review with management and our third-party security provider with urgency. This includes all training, protocols and hiring practices. This process starts immediately.
“We do not condone violence of any kind at The Lookout. Our venue has long been a place of celebration, and our guests are entitled to feel safe, respected and welcome always. We are working through this with the gravity it deserves. Our focus now is on accountability, learning and change.”
The brothers appeared in court over the alleged assault, prosecutors telling the magistrate the incident unfolded after a patron spilt water on the dance floor and was kicking it around and sliding around.
“The victim was asked to leave and then escorted out,” a police prosecutor told the magistrate.
An altercation then ensued with one of the brothers then allegedly “mounting” the victim and punching him to the head. He was allegedly additionally punched twice and kicked in the head.
Enver and Nezir Ibrahimovic leaving Perth Magistrates Court on Monday.Credit: Rebecca Peppiat
“The assault was prolonged,” the prosecutor said.
A woman nearby allegedly filmed the incident on her iPhone. Nezir Ibrahimovic is then alleged to have taken the phone off her and “assaulted her in the process”, the court heard.
The alleged victim, 39, was later treated for injuries to his head and face at Joondalup Health Campus.
Nezir Ibrahimovic was charged with intent to harm, did an act causing bodily harm, wilfully destroy evidence, stealing and common assault.
Enver Ibrahimovic was charged with intent to harm and did an act causing bodily harm.
On Monday Premier Roger Cook was asked about the incident, calling it “unacceptable”.
“Any violence in that sort of situation, particularly when it comes to crowd control is unacceptable,” he said.
“The security people there are to keep everyone safe.
“Sometimes people have to leave, be encouraged to leave the premises and that’s part of the job, but obviously we don’t want that to escalate into violence.
“We regulate our security industry, and obviously the police will examine any sort of footage or evidence that’s put in front of them and take the appropriate course of action.”
The men were told there was a 20-year maximum sentence for the charges but after putting up surety and promising to abide by reporting conditions, they were released on bail.
The court heard the men worked as bouncers on the weekends in addition to full-time employment but as part of their bail conditions are not allowed to participate in the role.
When Nezir Ibrahimovic was told that his bail conditions also incorporated not going near the victims, he said, “I don’t even remember what they looked like.”
Both men are due back in court on May 26.