Clinton McKenzie cleared of drug slur
Posted: 23 Nov 2003, 11:07
Boxing brothers Clinton and Winston McKenzie have spoken of their "year of hell" after finally being cleared of allowing crack cocaine to be dealt in their Thornton Heath pub.
The pair were discharged after the case against them collapsed at Croydon Magistrates' Court last week.
Specialist officers had stormed the pub in Parchmore Road, making 25 arrests for alleged drugs, firearm and immigration offences last December.
Both Clinton and Winston had always strenuously denied that they knowingly let the supply of crack cocaine take place at the bar.
Speaking after their court ordeal, Clinton, 48, of Addington Road, Selsdon, said: "Personally, this feels like winning the world title again - it is fantastic.
"None of our family even smoke, so to be labelled as people who take part in drugs is a total disgrace.
"This has been a great injustice - they never had any evidence against us."
Winston, Clinton and Duke McKenzie took over the pub in 2000 and declared an attitude of zero-tolerance to drugs.
The site had been renowned as a haven for drug dealers and the scene of numerous fights and stabbings.
But at a Croydon Council licensing committee meeting in July 2001, the brothers were credited with helping to reduce crime in the centre of Thornton Heath.
Winston, 47, who lives in Temple Road, South Croydon, said: "It was a mouth-watering prospect taking over the pub. We thought having a gym upstairs was fantastic. "To our amazement we found the local community more than willing to help us sort out the problems around that area. "There were members of the community coming forward and pointing out various people who they thought were involved in drugs."
But the brothers were powerless to stop the whole problem re-emerging a few months before the pub was raided last December.
Officers uncovered crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded 8mm handgun.
Clinton said: "We would never have knowingly allowed anybody to come in our pub with drugs or to deal drugs.
"We were never once told by staff that there were drugs being dealt in the pub.
"Looking back I do regret buying the place - I wish I had never gone near there. It has caused me so much anxiety and so many sleepless nights.
"I have never taken drugs and I had references from the boxing world to back me up. People like Chris Eubank and other celebrities were ready to give me their support in court."
Clinton will now continue to run his fitness gym and boxing club in Herne Hill.
His brother Winston hopes to stand as a parliamentary candidate for Croydon North at the next General Election.
Winston added: "Once your name is mentioned with drugs, it does put a stain on your character.
"There must be loads of innocent people being convicted of something they know little about.
"The law needs to be changed and it is something I will campaign for during my time in politics."
The pair were discharged after the case against them collapsed at Croydon Magistrates' Court last week.
Specialist officers had stormed the pub in Parchmore Road, making 25 arrests for alleged drugs, firearm and immigration offences last December.
Both Clinton and Winston had always strenuously denied that they knowingly let the supply of crack cocaine take place at the bar.
Speaking after their court ordeal, Clinton, 48, of Addington Road, Selsdon, said: "Personally, this feels like winning the world title again - it is fantastic.
"None of our family even smoke, so to be labelled as people who take part in drugs is a total disgrace.
"This has been a great injustice - they never had any evidence against us."
Winston, Clinton and Duke McKenzie took over the pub in 2000 and declared an attitude of zero-tolerance to drugs.
The site had been renowned as a haven for drug dealers and the scene of numerous fights and stabbings.
But at a Croydon Council licensing committee meeting in July 2001, the brothers were credited with helping to reduce crime in the centre of Thornton Heath.
Winston, 47, who lives in Temple Road, South Croydon, said: "It was a mouth-watering prospect taking over the pub. We thought having a gym upstairs was fantastic. "To our amazement we found the local community more than willing to help us sort out the problems around that area. "There were members of the community coming forward and pointing out various people who they thought were involved in drugs."
But the brothers were powerless to stop the whole problem re-emerging a few months before the pub was raided last December.
Officers uncovered crack cocaine, cannabis and a loaded 8mm handgun.
Clinton said: "We would never have knowingly allowed anybody to come in our pub with drugs or to deal drugs.
"We were never once told by staff that there were drugs being dealt in the pub.
"Looking back I do regret buying the place - I wish I had never gone near there. It has caused me so much anxiety and so many sleepless nights.
"I have never taken drugs and I had references from the boxing world to back me up. People like Chris Eubank and other celebrities were ready to give me their support in court."
Clinton will now continue to run his fitness gym and boxing club in Herne Hill.
His brother Winston hopes to stand as a parliamentary candidate for Croydon North at the next General Election.
Winston added: "Once your name is mentioned with drugs, it does put a stain on your character.
"There must be loads of innocent people being convicted of something they know little about.
"The law needs to be changed and it is something I will campaign for during my time in politics."