By Andrew Starke
High-profile hotelier Justin Hemmes has denied claims he assaulted a patron at his Establishment bar in the early hours of Thursday morning (Sep 8), with police believed to be investigating the incident.
Reports today suggest the Merivale Group owner was provoked after an argument involving an unnamed woman at a party held to mark the 11th birthday of the Establishment complex.
Hemmes is accused of slapping a male patron in the mouth and groin in an altercation that saw a 23-year old man evicted from the venue by security.
“I refute the allegations made today by a person regarding an alleged incident during a function last night at Establishment,” he said in a statement.
“Upon review of the CCTV footage and statements by witnesses, there is absolutely no basis for the allegations to have been made.”
It is not known if police have contacted Hemmes directly over the altercation.
The incident comes just days after the Merivale Group was forced to defend security procedures at its Ivy flagship after a patron was assaulted by bouncers.