Celal Arslan, owner of La Gomera, denies 14 counts of sexual offences
Lark Lane(Image: Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo)
A Mediterranean restaurant on one of Liverpool’s most popular streets has been stripped of its premises licence after its owner was charged with multiple sexual offences against young women. Liverpool Council has moved to take away permission from La Gomera after its licence holder and executive chef appeared in court earlier this month.
Celal Arslan, 52, of Ditton Drive, Halewood, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court via video link and denied 14 counts of sexual offences. A separate hearing was held at Liverpool Town Hall earlier this week to confirm the business would face sanction by the local authority.
Last month Arslan was charged with nine counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape following an investigation by Merseyside Police into reports of sexual offences against four girls in south Liverpool. He was accused of sexually assaulting four young women, as well as attempted rape and assault by penetration at the court hearing.
He has denied all 14 charges against him.
Arslan is charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of assault by penetration and one count of rape. He is further charged with four counts of sexual assault, one count of assault by penetration and two counts of attempted rape.
He also denied these charges.
Arslan pleaded not guilty to two further counts of sexual assault. Arslan was remanded in custody ahead of a planned trial on January 12.
A review into the premises licence was requested by Merseyside Police in July. A three-person panel of councillors agreed to strip the business of its right to serve alcohol following the charges being laid against Arslan.
To report a sexual offence you can call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always call 999.
If you have been a victim of sexual assault or rape, you can access specialist support services, which are free of charge and available to anyone. You do not need a referral or to have reported an incident to Merseyside Police before you access these specialist supportservices.
With no police involvement, a specialist doctor at Safe Place can examine you to check that you are ok and look for DNA evidence, which they will store to support your case. This gives you the option of making a formal police report at a later time, if you choose to.
These services can support you in a variety of ways, including offering a confidential discussion if you are thinking of making a police report, but are unsure what that involves and would like to discuss it. If you do decide to report to Merseyside Police, you will receive support throughout the investigation, court process and beyond.
You can choose to make an anonymous report through the Sexual Assault Referral Centre called Safe Place, or the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor service, rather than coming directly to Merseyside Police. Support is also available in Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, from Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
If you do not require immediate police assistance, then you can report rape and sexual assault via the police website here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/
Support is also available through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service: Home: Victim Care Merseyside