ONE of Brighton's oldest gay bars faces having its licence revoked due to underage drinking, sexual assaults and drunken violence.

Sussex Police served review papers to the owners of The Bulldog in St James’s Street after officers had to deal with repeated incidents at the popular nightspot over the past 18 months.

Among the incidents include a man needing 22 stitches after being glassed.

Traces of cocaine have also been found in the toilets and a woman reported being sexually assaulted after waking up in a room with strangers after drinking in the pub.

The review was also prompted by a test purchasing incident where a police sting revealed alcohol being sold to an underage child - aged 17.

Just five hours after this incident the police were called after a 13-year-old and 15-year-old schoolgirl were spotted in the pub by a member of the public.

Police bosses said licensing objectives are designed to “prevent crime and disorder, ensure public safety and to protect children from harm”. They added that The Bulldog has “seriously and consistently undermined” them.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp, divisional policing commander for Brighton and Hove, said the force has repeatedly attempted to work with management but problems have persisted.

The pub which has been open for 36 years will likely go before Brighton and Hove City Council’s licensing committee after the police review has been completed.

In the review papers, police bosses have asked the committee to give “serious consideration” to revoking the pub’s licence.

Meanwhile a campaign on social media has been launched in an attempt to drum up support for the troubled pub. The Twitter campaign has the hashtag #savethebulldog

Mr Kemp said: "Submitting a review application is a serious step and we have consistently tried to work with The Bulldog to address these issues but there has been little discernible improvement and there continues to be a blatant disregard for people's safety and welfare, so we have been left with no other option.

"The continued risks posed to public safety and particularly the vulnerable by the venue is unacceptable and I am determined that this does not continue any longer."

LONG LIST OF ALLEGED INCIDENTS AT "TROUBLED" PUB

2014

January 5: Man thrown out for being aggressive.

January 10: Man glassed.

January 11: Drinkers fight with door staff.

February 2: Man thrown out for being aggressive.

February 15: Door staff tussle with man on the floor.

February 19: Man attacked after he overhears customer offering sexual favours for money.

February 20: Woman reports waking in toilets to find male sexually assaulting her.

March 4: Man assaults staff.

March 6: Police called about drug dealing.

March 8: Traces of MDMA and cocaine in the toilets.

March 20: Owner Dean Holmes meets police – he pledges staff will be more vigilant.

March 27: Mr Holmes sends an email to police detailing new measures in place.

May 4: Door staff don’t call police after man is headbutted.

May 16: Claims that a 15-year-old was drinking in the pub.

June 8: Woman reports she was assaulted by door staff. Police find she was lawfully ejected.

July 4: People spotted drinking outside in breach of licence.

August 4: Man high on drugs exposes himself in the window.

September 27: Man claims to have been assaulted by door staff – police find he was ejected after setting off fire alarms.

September 28: Woman claims to have been assaulted by door staff – she was lawfully ejected.

October 16: Woman smashes glass panel.

November 5: Woman physically threatens drinker.

November 10: Allegations of phone theft and an altercation.

December 14: Banned individuals seen drinking outside.

December 20: Reports that a man was head butted.

December 28: Drunk punter found after self harming.

2015

January 10: Scuffle between two men after throwing of milk.

January 19: Woman reports waking in bed with a man after consuming alcohol and an illegal drug at the pub

January 22: Banned person reported to be drinking in the pub.

January 23: Drunk claims to have been assaulted by door staff.

February 8: Woman claims she was assaulted by door supervisor. She was lawfully ejected.

March 2: Person claims camera was stolen from bag in the pub.

March 10: Woman falls down steps and claims to have been sexually assaulted. She later said there was no sexual contact.

March 15: Punter reports being sexually assaulted after waking up after drinking in pub.

March 29: Woman claims she was approached by man in pub before being sexually assaulted.

April 3: Man claims he was assaulted by staff. Lawful ejection.

April 8: Woman claims her drink was spiked.

April 28:Woman claims she was sexually assaulted after meeting a man in the pub.

May 8: Drunken man claims his mobile phone was stolen.

May 8: Mr Holmes meets police.

May 13: Mr Holmes tells officers of plans to deal with the problem.

May 22: Woman claims she was threatened with knife. Later found she started the confrontation and no weapon was involved.

May 31: Man claims he was assaulted – later dismissed.

July 4: Man claims cocaine sold in pub.

July 17: Pub fails test purchase when 17-year-old is served.

July 18: Police called after 13-year-old and 15-year-old are spotted in the premises.

July 25: Man assaulted woman in The Old Steine after having been in the pub.