Mayfair, London
David West Senior lived in London's Mayfair area Reuters

A well-known nightclub owner was stabbed to death in London's West End on Friday. His son stands accused of his murder. David West, 70, was found dead in his Mayfair home. His son, also called David, has been charged with murder.

David West Senior was found dead in Ormond Yard, Mayfair soon after 6pm. Post-mortem examination has established that the cause of death was a single stab wound. In a statement Scotland Yard said that David West Junior, 44, will attend Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday. The London Metropolitan Police's

Post-mortem examination has established that the cause of death was a single stab wound. In a statement Scotland Yard said that David West Junior, 44, will attend Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday. The London Metropolitan Police's

In a statement Scotland Yard said that David West Junior, 44, will attend Westminster Magistrates Court on Monday. The London Metropolitan Police's Homicide and Major Crime Command unit is continuing its investigation.

Even by the extravagant standards of London nightclub owners, West Senior stood out – not least because of his brightly coloured suits and his Bentley with the personalised numberplate "DAV ID". His lifestyle was notoriously flamboyant.

West Senior bought the title of Lord of the Manor of Hollesley for himself on eBay, and he was the owner of the Mayfair nightclub HeyJo on Jermyn Street, as well as the adjacent Abracadabra restaurant.

An archetypical Eastender, West Sr grew up in Romford, Essex, and began his career with a market stall in London's East End. Later he started a tobacco business.

During the 1980s he set up a wholesale business on a double-decker bus in Calais, France, selling cut-price cigarettes and alcohol. The company became part of the biggest British-owned cash-and-carry business in Europe. It even has its own wine label: The Dog's Bollocks

West Sr was also the owner of a talent management firm and another club calls Mandy's – which styles itself as the older gentleman's club in London.

The Jermyn Street area is one of the most fashionable and expensive parts of London. Properties in the area are valued an average of more than £2.5m.

Related
London