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Flamboyant London club owner allegedly stabbed to death by son Flamboyant London club owner allegedly stabbed to death by son
(about 1 hour later)
A nightclub owner has been named as the pensioner allegedly stabbed to death by his son in central London. The son of a London nightclub owner has been charged with his father’s murder in central London.
The body of David West, 70, was found at a residential address – believed to be his home – in Ormond Yard behind Jermyn Street, near Piccadilly in central London, on Friday night. A postmortem gave the cause of death as a single stab wound. The dead man’s son, also called David West, was later charged with murder. The 44-year-old, of Jermyn Street, will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Monday. The body of David West, 70, was found at a residential address, believed to be his home, in Ormond Yard behind Jermyn Street, near Piccadilly on Friday night. A postmortem gave the cause of death as a single stab wound.
West was a self-styled “lord” who reportedly owned the nightclub Hey Jo, as well as Abracadabra, a restaurant which specialises in Russian cuisine. Both are located close to his home. He has been described as a flamboyant figure and is said to have bought the title of “lord of the manor of Hollesley” on eBay. His son, also called David West, 44, was charged with murder and will appear at Westminster magistrates court on Monday.
He made his fortune selling alcohol from a Calais warehouse called Eastenders, having started in business selling flowers and groceries from a stall in Romford market. In 2007 he made headlines after he hired Cherie Blair to mount a legal challenge against the smoking ban. The late West was a self-styled “lord” who reportedly owned Mayfair nightclub Hey Jo and restaurant Abracadabra, which specialises in Russian cuisine. He has been described as a flamboyant figure and is said to have bought the title of “lord of the manor of Hollesley” on eBay. He made his fortune selling alcohol from a Calais warehouse called Eastenders, having started in business selling flowers and groceries at Romford market.
In 2007, he made headlines after he hired Cherie Blair to mount a legal challenge against the smoking ban.
Friends paid tribute on Facebook. Mickey Helliet said he was “absolutely gutted” at the death of his “longstanding friend”.Friends paid tribute on Facebook. Mickey Helliet said he was “absolutely gutted” at the death of his “longstanding friend”.
He said: “Life is precious and can be snatched away at any moment. I normally go to see Dave and have a couple of drinks with him in one of his clubs at Christmas. I loved going to his clubs. Really going to miss him, a real character. RIP.”He said: “Life is precious and can be snatched away at any moment. I normally go to see Dave and have a couple of drinks with him in one of his clubs at Christmas. I loved going to his clubs. Really going to miss him, a real character. RIP.”
Jelena Gauthier said she was “in utter disbelief”. She wrote: “RIP David West you were always such a gracious host, flamboyant man and a playful soul you will be missed by many.”Jelena Gauthier said she was “in utter disbelief”. She wrote: “RIP David West you were always such a gracious host, flamboyant man and a playful soul you will be missed by many.”