Security Guard Cleared of Rape Charge at London’s Heaven Nightclub
Jury Delivers Not Guilty Verdict
Morenikeji Adewole, 47, from Dartford, Kent, has been acquitted of rape and attempted rape after a six-and-a-half hour jury deliberation at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, May 30.
The prosecution claimed Adewole attacked a 19-year-old woman in the back seat of his Lexus in the early hours of November 1, 2024. The woman had been refused entry to Heaven nightclub for being too intoxicated.
Instead of sending her away, Adewole reportedly escorted her from the club entrance and drove her to a nearby side street, Adelphi Terrace.
Drunken Party Night Under Scrutiny
The court heard the woman had been drinking while queuing for a Halloween event at Heaven, one of London’s oldest LGBTQ+ clubs, based in Charing Cross for over 40 years.
Adewole admitted to some sexual contact but denied full intercourse. He said the woman initially told him she was 25 and stopped immediately when he found out she was actually 19.
The woman argued she was too drunk to consent, but the jury evidently did not agree.
Judge Slams Adewole’s Actions Despite Acquittal
“Your job was to take care of them. Your response was to go off in a car with her because your brain was driven by your groin. You should be absolutely ashamed,” said Judge Martin Griffith.
Adewole was visibly emotional, shedding tears as the verdict was announced.
Fake Identity and Illegal Work Revealed
The trial uncovered that Adewole was working under a false name, Olusola Julius Alabi, on a five-year tourist visa that forbade employment.
He had already pleaded guilty to possessing fake ID documents and received six-month concurrent sentences, which he served during remand.
A victim surcharge will also be calculated in due course.
Heaven Nightclub Temporarily Shut
Following the incident, Westminster City Council closed Heaven nightclub on public safety grounds. The venue remains under review as investigations continue.
