A REDDITCH nightclub boss was left shocked after being branded a 'front man' for crime gangs by police.

Michael Parchment hit back at West Mercia Police after the force failed in a bid to get his Warwick Arms club closed down.

Cops applied to District Judge Ian Strongman for a three-month closure of the Ipsley Street club but the application was dismissed as a "million miles" from being appropriate.

During the hearing, at Redditch Magistrates Court, Ps Richard Field claimed the venue was used for parties by organised crime groups which led to violence and drug taking.

He said: "If the order is not granted we will have organised crime groups running the Warwick Arms, Mr Parchment is just a front man."

However Mr Parchment, who became landlord at the venue in 1996, denies any connection to gangs and wants an apology.

He said: "I'm shocked by the suggestion I am a front man. If I don't get an apology I am going to make an official complaint."

He also criticised officers' claims they had reliable intelligence that the club was used by members of Birmingham gangs The Johnson Crew and Burger Bar Boys.

He added: "These guys have been coming here for years and someone tells the police they are Johnsons or Burger Bar Boys - I don't know where they come from, they just turn up.

"Half of these things are what the police have heard, not what they see."

Police claim the residential area around the venue is blighted by violence and illegal parking while they have evidence of cannabis and cocaine use at the club.

Sgt Field told the court officers had provided action plans for Mr Parchment to improve procedures at the club but he had not responded and police were left with no option but to go for closure.

He said: "I'm deeply concerned about management and criminality, I have zero confidence the premises are being run to the standards they should be."

However the judge concluded problems at the Warwick Arms were not severe enough to justify closure under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act but a matter for the local council.

He said: "The question for me, having regard to history and the future in terms of trouble, is whether it is necessary to close the place down.

"It's a million miles from necessary, this is a draconian order, it's not used for what happens at other night clubs."

Chief Inspector Ed Hancox, from West Mercia Police, said: “We are content with our evidence offered to the court and disappointed with the result. We continue to find solutions to keep Redditch a safe place to live and work.

“If anyone feels they want to make a complaint against the police there is an official process in place if they wish to use it.”