A bouncer at Heaven nightclub accused of a “predatory” rape of a woman after she was turned away from the venue is set to stand trial next May.
Morenikeji Adewole, 47, is accused of having sex with the woman without consent on November 1 close to the world-famous gay club in Charing Cross.
The Dartford resident appeared in the dock at Southwark crown court on Wednesday to plead not guilty to rape.
Judge Justin Cole said the case involved an allegation of a “predatory rape”, and set the case down for a trial starting on May 19 next year.
Adewole, of Dunlop Close, Dartford, is set to remain in custody until the trial.
The nightclub was shut down in the wake of the rape allegation, which sparked an emergency licensing hearing at Westminster council
A suspension of the licence of up to 28 days was agreed on November 15 on public safety grounds, after an application made by the Metropolitan Police.
The closure was reversed last week, after the agreement of new licensing conditions.
A further hearing in Adewole’s case has been set for April 4 next year.
