Teenager ejected from Sunderland under-18s disco in viral video ‘thought she was going to die’

A teenage girl who was apparently placed in a choke hold and ejected from a under-18s disco claims she ‘thought she was going to die’ when the bouncer put his hands around her neck.

Shocking video shows how the doorman at Rainton Arena in Houghton-Le-Spring near Sunderland, Tyne and Wear gripped both his hands around 14-year-old Amarii’s neck as he forced her backwards through the foyer on May 19.

Amarii said she ‘couldn’t breathe’ and feared for her life. She told BBC Newsbeat that since the incident she has been unable to sleep, no longer longer likes being in ‘crowded spaces’ and says the ‘things that I found funny just aren’t funny any more.’

Her mother Gemma slammed the bouncer’s over the top reaction and claimed Amarii had been ‘a bit mouthy’ towards security but wasn’t ‘any kind of threat to anybody’. 

Rainton Arena said it is ‘not happy with the actions of the individual’ and the ‘venue will not accept this type of behaviour towards anyone.’ The incident has been referred to Northumbria Police.

The clip shows the girl, who is said to be 14, at an under-18s party at Rainton Arena in Houghton-Le-Spring near Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

The security officer grips both hands around the girl’s throat as he forces her backwards through the foyer on Friday, May 19, accompanied by another bouncer

Amarii claims she had gotten into an argument with security after the staff refused to let her re-enter the venue.

She said two bouncers came over to calm the situation but then another ‘came out of nowhere’ and ‘started screaming and shoving’.

The clip shows the security officer, accompanied by another bouncer, gripping both hands around her throat as he forces her backwards. 

Once outdoors, he appears to sustain the stranglehold a few moments longer as the girl struggles to breathe, before shoving her away.

The teenager is visibly shocked and after regaining her voice, shouts ‘you daft mental c***’ at the man.

Gemma alleged the situation escalated once Amarii got upset at being pushed. The mother also hit back at critics who accused the teen of being ‘drunk’ or saying ‘she deserved’ the treatment.

‘The children had to be breathalysed before they went into the event, so how could she have been drunk? She wasn’t drunk,’ Gemma told the BBC.

‘She’s had posts saying she deserved it because of the way that she was dressed, which is just absolutely outrageous.’ 

She said it was ‘ridiculous’ that people were looking to blame Amarii.

Rainton Arena, located in Houghton-Le-Spring near Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, was hosting its ‘We Are Bounce Under 18s Event’ for partygoers aged 11 to 17 on the night of the incident

The video was uploaded to social media on the day of the incident and has gone viral with 12million views, prompting outrage from many who watched it. 

Professor Susan Edwards tweeted: ‘Shocked and horrified. This is what non-fatal strangulation looks like. It is unlawful. There are no circumstances which condone it whatsoever.’

Leanne Patrick posted: ‘Men who strangle women or girls, in any capacity, rarely do so as isolated incidents. It is a pattern of behaviour… [It] is unconscionable.’

Abi Tova added: ‘There’s no context that makes this acceptable. Security staff should be trained in suitable restraint techniques.’

The incident took place as Rainton Arena hosted its ‘We Are Bounce Under 18s Event’ for partygoers aged 11 to 17. 

The event’s information page stated that a parental consent form or photo ID was needed for the event, although parents and guardians themselves were not allowed to attend.

The venue confirmed that an incident had taken place and that it had been reported to police. 

Rainton Arena’s Facebook page stated: ‘The venue will not accept this type of behaviour towards anyone. This is not how anyone should be made to feel at any event.

Professor Susan Edwards tweeted: ‘Shocked and horrified. This is what non-fatal strangulation looks like. It is unlawful. There are no circumstances which condone it whatsoever’

Leanne Patrick posted: ‘Men who strangle women or girls, in any capacity, rarely do so as isolated incidents. It is commonly a pattern of behaviour… [It] is unconscionable’

Abi Tova added: ‘There’s no context that makes this acceptable. Security staff should be trained in suitable restraint techniques’

Men Against VAWG tweeted: ‘The man is strangling this girl to the point where you can see she is struggling to breathe. This is awful behaviour…’

‘Staff and event organisers are all parents, and we are not happy with the actions of the individual.

‘The child’s parents have been contacted and shown all CCTV as we will be fully cooperating with the parents and police.

‘The security company which were hired for the event have also terminated the employment of the individual involved. They have also contacted the police and made them aware they will be fully cooperating.’

A Northumbria Police spokesman said: ‘We received a report of assault which is alleged to have taken place at about 9.30pm on Friday at Rainton Meadows Arena, on Mercantile Road, Houghton-le-Spring.

‘No-one is believed to have been seriously injured. Enquiries are ongoing.

‘Anyone with information should use the ‘Tell us Something’ page of our website, or call 101 quoting NP-20230520-0288.’

Rainton Arena has been approached for further comment. 

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk