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Victims of Blake's nightclub attack in Gravesend speak of ordeal

Victims who were at a nightclub when a drug-driver rammed his car onto the dance floor have spoken of the horrific ordeal they endured that night.

Mohammed Abdul, 21, was last week sentenced to 28 years in prison after being convicted for two counts of attempted murder.

The Deptford resident drove his car towards Blake's nightclub in Queen Street, Gravesend, in March last year, after he was kicked out, injuring eight people.

Scroll down to hear from one of the victims

CCTV shows Mohammed Abdul driving his Suzuki Vitara at Blake’s nightclub in Gravesend last March
CCTV shows Mohammed Abdul driving his Suzuki Vitara at Blake’s nightclub in Gravesend last March

Liam Vine, also from Gravesend, was a security guard at the club that night and was one of many staff commended by judge Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb for their actions.

Mr Vine, who is now working as an engineer, admitted he still gets flashbacks from the terrifying night, but wouldn’t hesitate to do the same again.

He said: “I was working on the door that night when the 4x4 went through.

"I could see something happening at the end of the alleyway before it happened, but was unsure what it was.

“The next thing I saw was the car determined to drive into the alley and then accelerate.

“I shouted to anyone to get out of the way when I noticed two females, one against the wall, that my colleague managed to pull out the way, and one that had fallen to the ground.

The car after ploughing into Blake's nightclub
The car after ploughing into Blake's nightclub
Liam Vine, 36, was working at Blake's nightclub the night of the attack. Picture: Liam Vine (6481906)
Liam Vine, 36, was working at Blake's nightclub the night of the attack. Picture: Liam Vine (6481906)
Blake's nightclub in Queen Street, Gravesend
Blake's nightclub in Queen Street, Gravesend

“I ran forward and managed to drag her out of the path of the 4x4.

“I, along with the other staff, were very shocked but we still had jobs to do and tend to the injured customers as their wellbeing is our priority.”

The 36-year-old thought the outcome of the trial was good and that Abdul’s sentence fitted the crime.

“I just hope now people may have some form of closure,” the former security guard added.

The woman Mr Vine pulled from the path of Abdul’s speeding Suzuki Viatara, was 18-year-old Hadleigh Connor, who he hopes to meet one day.

She was left unable to move after the car clipped her side.

The teenager said: “I was fleeing towards the alley and I was clipped by the car. It was absolutely awful, I was so petrified, so scared.

"I remember when I fell over I couldn’t move my neck. I was in so much pain and I’d hurt my legs and my back was hurting.

“I knew the car was coming but I couldn’t get out of the way.”

“I couldn’t believe it – I just felt myself moving and it was the security guard dragging me out of the way.

“I got a few injuries from that but nothing like what could have been if he [Mr Vine] hadn’t pulled me out of the way.

“I’m very grateful because if it wasn’t for him, moments later I would have been run over.”

Mohammed Abdul is starting a 28-year prison sentence after being found guilty of two counts of attempted murder
Mohammed Abdul is starting a 28-year prison sentence after being found guilty of two counts of attempted murder

The teenager was left with neck and back pain and is still seeing a physiotherapist, but she said it has had lasting psychological effects.

She said: “I get nervous that something could happen and I’m always on edge so I don’t go out too much.

“I tend not to go clubbing. I’ve been once since the incident and I didn’t enjoy it.

I’m really happy with the sentence he got. He deserves it.

"A lot of people could have been really hurt, even more than there were, or even died.

“I was close to dying and it was his actions that caused that so he’s brought it upon himself.”

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