THE wife of a prominent business man assaulted a bouncer in a brawl at a birthday party that got out of hand.

Sue Hart, wife of Worthing Football Club director Ian Hart, attacked a bouncer at the troubled Molotov Cocktail and Vodka Bar in Chatsworth Road.

Mrs Hart, 48, of Worthing and family friend Harry Giles, 45, of Shipley, near Horsham, were both arrested and spent the night in police cells. After Mrs Hart admitted the crime she received a police caution.

A witness told The Argus: “It was a birthday celebration that got out of hand. Sue Hart, her son Sam and Harry Giles were all there and a member of staff was assaulted.

Mrs Hart is a director at Ian Hart Funeral Services - the company set up by her husband in 2004 - where their son Sam also works.

Several members of both the Hart and Giles families were at the celebrations on the Saturday night, January 6, until police were called to break up a fight with door staff just after midnight.

A family member at the party said: “We were all their having a lovely family evening.

“We don’t really want it in the paper.”

Molotov nightclub was stripped of its licence and ordered to close last September after the death of mum-of two Gina Pickett.

Sussex Police called for the club to be stripped of its licence after a number of drunken incidents and the discovery of traces of drugs in al the toilets.

However the bar has been able to continue operating as licensees Barry Wells and Peter Mott have lodged an appeal against the decision at the magistrates’ court.

Under licensing law they are able to continue trading until that hearing – which has not yet been listed for a court date.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: “Shortly before 12.30am on Sunday (7 January) police were called to the Molotov "Cocktail and Vodka Bar in Chatsworth Road, Worthing, where door staff were reported to have been attacked.

"One of the staff sustained minor injuries."

A 45-year-old man from Shipley, near Horsham, was arrested on suspicion of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and later released under investigation.

A 48-year-old woman from Worthing was also arrested for ABH and released after being cautioned.”

Beauty school owner Ms Pickett visited Molotov on February 20 last year before falling down a flight of steps to her death on her walk home. Coroner Penelope Schofield ruled Ms Pickett’s severe intoxication “directly led” to her accidental death.

Police also gave accounts of “extremely high” readings of cocaine in all toilets, “exceptionally poor management”, lax security, missing records – including CCTV– and failing to check ID with a scanner as grounds to close the night spot.

The club opened on the site of Liquid Lounge and Light Bar, also owned by Peter Mott and Barry Wells, in 2016.

The previous venue also faced a licensing review in 2012. At that time police said they were called to more incidents at the club than any other venue in Sussex.

The Argus made repeated attempts to contact Sue Hart, Harry Giles and the owners of Molotov Cocktail bar. None responded to our requests for comment.

Sussex Police are appealing for witnesses to the brawl to phone 101, quoting serial 28 of 07/01.