POLICE are trying to shut down a bar where a mother spent hours drinking before she fell down steps and died.

Beauty school owner Gina Pickett was found lying in the street with fatal head injuries at around 1am on February 20.

The 45-year-old mother of two young children was seen going into the Molotov Cocktail Bar in Worthing at around 8pm the night before. She spent hours drinking there before walking out into the street alone, police documents said.

The news comes after coroner Penelope Schofield last month ruled Ms Pickett’s severe intoxication “directly led” to her accidental death.

Friends and loved ones remembered the co-owner of Lash and Thread Beauty Training School in Lauriston Road, Brighton, as a “wonderful lady” who “touched hearts”.

It is the second time the Molotov owners have seen their premises under licence review

An application to revoke the Chatsworth Road establishment’s licence revealed this as one of a string of “serious incidents” which showed its bosses to have a “complete disregard” for patrons’ safety, Sussex Police said.

In the papers submitted to Worthing Borough Council, Chief Inspector Miles Ockwell said the managers and owners of the bar, Peter Mott and Barry Wells, made “no attempt” to meet the bar’s licensing requirements to prevent crime or ensure public safety.

Police 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.

Staff all denied serving Ms Pickett beyond her alcohol tolerance level, the papers said.

Another customer told police Ms Pickett drank his drink, was “extremely intoxicated” with slurred speech and glazed eyes and had to hold the bar to steady herself, the report said.

Footage showed her leaving the bar alone at 12.20am and walking along the road, presumably back to her home in nearby Congreve Road. She was seen gripping the railings and walls to steady herself and then “suddenly disappeared” from view. Police found her about half an hour later fatally injured on a flight of steps in Chapel Road.

Staff did not care for her, even though she was “barely able to walk unassisted” and no one was on the door, the report said.

Just eight days before, officers found a man “slumped” in a booth in the bar with a partially drunk beer in front of him. They said door staff demonstrated “no attempt to check on a patrons’ welfare or a willingness to keep people safe.”

Co-owner Mr Mott, a parent governor at Worthing High School, refused to comment when contacted by The Argus but said the bar was open as usual.

Councillors are due to consider the review next month.

Story so far

Molotov launched last year after refurbishment.

It opens late seven nights a week and called itself Worthing's "brand new late night cocktail and vodka bar" when it re-opened in November.

It described itself on its online pages as having luxurious decor, stylish surroundings and offering a range of premium drinks, a warm welcome and bespoke entertainment.

Announcing the new look, promoters urged customers to visit, adding: "We think you'll be pleasantly surprised."

It is on the same premises as Liquid Lounge and Light Bar, also owned by Peter Mott and Barry Wells, which faced licence review in 2012 after police said they were dangerous for drinkers.

At that time there were more incidents in a month than at any other nightclub in Sussex.

‘BEAUTIFUL GINA HAD A SMILE THAT LIT UP A ROOM’

TRIBUTES poured in as friends and loved ones learned of Gina Pickett’s death.

The 45-year-old was remembered as someone who had a smile which “lit up a room” and was always laughing in tributes paid on a memorial website set up in her name. Her sister Sue said she was feeling “totally lost without her”.

A dedication read: “This site is a tribute to Gina Pickett, who was born on February 5, 1972. She is a much-loved mum to her two gorgeous children who she adored, a beloved daughter, precious sister, wife and friend. Gina will always remain in our hearts and will always be remembered. Sleep tight our darling Gina.”

Benn Slade, posted a message remembering his first ever date aged 15 at the cinema with Ms Pickett.

He said: “Your eyes, your smile, your kindness were unforgettable in every way. We went on to become great friends. Later and as the years rolled by, saying ‘hello’ was always heart warming, that smile and twinkle would bring back memories that will certainly not fade.”

Michelle Bray-Cotton said: “Gina, such a beautiful, kind soul with a smile that lit up a room. I have so many, cherished memories of us.”

Others recalled the last time they saw her and described her as “radiant”, “happy” and “beautiful” with a “kind soul”.

Scores of people visited the website to donate money to the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Charity and the Headway brain injury association.