A MOTORIST stopped by police during a seasonal spot check on the Driffield by-pass was found to have been banned from driving, a court has heard.

A check by officers on December 16 also showed that George Brankin, 58, of Worthington Street, Bradford had been driving a Renault Master van along the A164 without the correct insurance.

Brankin pleaded guilty to driving while disqualified and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance when he appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court last Wednesday.

Victoria Mills, prosecuting, said Brankin’s details were checked by a police officer on the national computer but the details given differed slightly to those on the system.

“As the officer began to walk away the defendant called after the officer and admitted the details he had given weren’t correct and he was a banned driver,” Mrs Mills said.

Mrs Mills said Brankin had been banned from driving last year for failing to provide police with a specimen of breath for analysis.

Dave Robson, mitigating, described the incident as “unusual” and “bizarre”. Mr Robson said Brankin’s son had a severe medical condition, Chrohn’s disease, which had worsened.

Mr Robson said Brankin’s son, George, had been living with his mother until she died. George then moved to Bridlington but had become more and more hospitalised.

“His son needed support, there was nothing that could be done from the hospital or social services and it more or less left the defendant to work everything out.

“His son was desperate to have that support, he was desperate to provide that support and couldn’t get anybody to drive him back to Bradford so he borrowed a friend’s vehicle,” Mr Robson said.

The court heard that Brankin, who has to walk with the help of a stick because of problems with his spine and legs, now has his son living with him in Bradford.

The case was adjourned for an all options report to be prepared by the Probation Service before sentencing on January 25.

“The reasons for this are your previous record and the seriousness of the offence,” Mrs Farnsworth said.

AN UNEMPLOYED builder who turned to drink and drugs after suffering a mental breakdown funded his habit by stealing push bikes, a court has heard.

Steven Johnson, 27, of Eastgate North, in Driffield pleaded guilty to two charges of theft of a pedal cycle when he appeared at Bridlington Magistrates Court last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Victoria Mills told the court that after Amy Louise Potter had her bike, worth £50, stolen from her back garden on October 12 last year she went to Driffield Police Station to identify a bike which officers had recovered from Greenways.

CCTV footage showed the defendant, identified as Johnson, on the bike.

“He couldn’t recall the incident because he was too intoxicated. He has seen the footage and accepts he stole the bike,” Mrs Mills said.

On October 5 last year a bike, worth £120, belonging to Daniel Foley was stolen from Driffield Train Station. Once again CCTV footage showed Johnson stealing the bike.

In mitigation the court heard that Johnson had been doing well in life until he found himself homeless and unemployed.

Dave Robson, mitigating, said: “He tells me that he was doing well in life generally. He was a self employed builder and was living at his brother’s address for some time.

“His brother then moved but he couldn’t move with him so he was homeless.

“He then lost his contract as a self employed builder. He had a mental breakdown and started drinking and taking drugs. He then started to feed his habit by stealing cycles,” Mr Robson said.

Mr Robson said since then Johnson had “pulled himself around”, had found accommodation and hoped to find a job in the future.

Johnson was given a 12 month conditional discharge and must pay £120 compensation to Mr Foley for his bike which was never recovered. Johnson was also ordered to pay £40 court costs.

A DRUNKEN argument that broke out between a couple on a residential street landed an off-shore fisherman in hot water.

The argument between Christopher Clinton Bycroft, 35, of Council Houses, Foston-on-the-Wolds and his girlfriend was so loud it caught the attention of residents along Fairfield Road, in Bridlington at around 8.30pm on December 20.

Bycroft pleaded guilty to using threatening words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress when he appeared before magistrates in Bridlington last Wednesday (January 4).

He also pleaded guilty to possessing a controlled drug of class B, cannabis at the time.

Prosecutor Victoria Mills told the court that Bycroft, who was already on a four month prison sentence suspended for two years, was heard shouting outside houses causing residents to look outside.

“He was shouting and swearing at them, making threats. The police were called and the defendant left the street but was found nearby and arrested,” Mrs Mills said.

When searched at the police station Bycroft was found to have some cannabis in his pocket.

In mitigation Dave Robson said: “He accepts he was in a very loud and volatile argument with his partner at the time. He was in drink.

“It was right that people were looking because it was very loud and he apologises for his behaviour.

“He does accept that he shouted at the neighbours and it’s right to say that on arrest the police found cannabis in his pocket. He uses it recreationally.”

Magistrates decided not to activate the suspended sentence but instead gave Bycroft a 12 month conditional discharge for each offence.

The cannabis was also ordered to be destroyed and Bycroft was ordered to pay £85 court costs.

Tourism-based businesses around Driffield are being advised to get ready for a surge of interest as a major new exhibition by artist David Hockney gets underway.

From Saturday January 21, the Royal Academy of Arts in London will be showcasing the first major exhibition of new landscape works by the Bridlington-based artist who has produced a number of canvasses depicting the green and verdant countryside around Driffield.

According to the CLA, the range of vivid paintings, inspired by the East Yorkshire landscape, will make the Wolds a popular holiday destination this summer.

CLA Yorkshire Regional Director Dorothy Fairburn said: “David Hockney is widely known as the godfather of modern British art and it is expected that this new exhibition will result in an influx of people to the Wolds.

“Tourism businesses operating in and around sites that feature in the new exhibition, such as Garrowby Hill, Sledmere, Warter, Thixendale and Kilham, would be well advised to make sure they are prepared for a surge of interest this summer.”

David Hockney RA: A Bigger Picture will span a 50 year period to demonstrate the artist’s long exploration and fascination with the depiction of landscape.

The exhibition will include a display of his iPad drawings and a series of new films. Hockney is also working with tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire to create an official tourist trail.

l New Year honour for Hockney - see also page 12

A PENSIONER has been banned from driving for 20 months after getting behind the wheel while more than twice the legal drink drive limit.

Christopher Alan Ireland, 66, of Star Hill Road, Driffield pleaded guilty to driving a motor vehicle while over the prescribed alcohol limit at Bridlington Magistrates Court last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Victoria Mills said that at 1.30pm on December 13 the police stopped a Ford Ka on North Street, Driffield.

Mrs Mills said the driver gave the officer his details and was identified as Ireland.

“The police smelled alcohol on his breath and he was required to provide a specimen of breath but was unable to do so at the road side,” Mrs Mills said.

At the police station Ireland’s lowest reading was 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath - the legal limit being 35 micrograms.

In mitigation Dave Robson said Ireland had met up with friends in a pub for a social drink, and had no more than two or three.

“It’s the case that he can’t drink too much because he’s had two recent heart attacks,” Mr Robson said.

“He was surprised to learn that when he gave a sample he was over the limit,” Mr Robson added.

Mr Robson said Ireland was on medication, taking 13 tablets a day and did not know if that had affected the reading.

Mr Robson added that Ireland used his car to take his mother to and from hospital, and received a pension and invalidity benefit.

“His lifestyle will be severely restricted due to not having a licence,” Mr Robson added.

Ireland was offered the chance to complete a drink driver rehabilitation course which could reduce the overall ban by five months.

He was fined £100, ordered to pay court costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £15.

Kind-hearted staff and customers of the M&Co store in Driffield have helped the company to raise an astonishing £850,000 for Cancer Research UK.

Staff at M&Co, one of the UK’s largest independent fashion retailers, have been working tirelessly to fundraise for the cancer charity since 2008.

The store in Driffield raised a fantastic £2,439 since M&Co began its support of the charity.

A variety of fundraising activities have taken place and included the high street retailer becoming a donation station for the month of October in 2011.

This saw customers donating their quality unwanted clothes in M&Co stores for Cancer Research UK and receiving a £5 voucher in return to spend in any M&Co store or online on purchases over £35.

More than £50,000 was raised through the donation station activity.

Additional fundraising that has taken place includes 222 M&Co staff taking part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life, fashion shows run by all M&Co stores, staff raffles, sponsored walks and skydives.

All funds raised for Cancer Research UK will help to fund vital life saving research.

Andy McGeoch, Director of Marketing and Business Development at M&Co, said: “It is really fantastic that everyone has worked together to raise so much for Cancer Research UK. We have given ourselves a target of raising a total of £1m for Cancer Research UK before July 2012 and we will strive to achieve this.

“Employees throughout the company, both in our stores and head office, have championed our fundraising and made a real difference to the amount we raised. I’d also like to thank our customers in the local community for getting involved and helping us in our efforts.

“M&Co is dedicated to helping the fight against cancer and supporting Cancer Research UK. Over the past three years our staff and customers have raised £850,000 for the charity and we’re positive that it will help in some way with the fight against cancer.”

Claire Rowney, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, said: “We’re really grateful for the generosity and hard work of M&Co’s staff and customers.

“The £850,000 raised will help pay for the world-class scientists, doctors and nurses at the centre of our life saving research. Together with partners like M&Co and our supporters, our vision is to continue to save lives and beat cancer.”

Cancer Research UK is the world’s leading charity dedicated to beating cancer.

North Yorkshire Police will be carrying out mobile safety camera enforcement on the following roads between Wednesday 18 January and Tuesday 24 January 2012.

· A64 east-bound carriageway Bowbridge Farm Tadcaster

· A1237 Monks Cross, York

· The Village, Stockton-on-the-Forest, York

· A1036 Malton Road, York

· A1237 Monks Cross, York

· York Road, Haxby, York

· B1222 Naburn lane, York

· B1228 Main Street, Elvington, York

· B1228 Dunnington Lodge, Elvington, York

· A64 west-bound carriageway, Bowbridge Farm, Tadcaster

· Broadway, Fulford, York

· Murton Way, Murton, York

· Fordlands Road, Fulford, York

· A61, Green Lane, Brearton

· A59, Beamsley Hill, Harrogate

· Jennyfields Drive, Harrogate

· Skipton Road, Harrogate

· King Edward’s Drive, Harrogate

· A61 Leeds Road, Harrogate

· A59, High Street, Starbeck

· Silver Street, Barton

· Leeming Lane, Catterick Village

· A6108, Darlington Road, Richmond

· A66, Gilling West

· A684, Aysgarth

· A6108, Middleham

· Gatherley Road, Brompton

· B1257 Newgate Bank, Hawnby

· A19 Crathorne

· A170 Scawton Moor

· Station Road, Thirsk

· B6271 Great Langton

· B1264 Low Worsall

· Guisborough Road, Great Ayton

· B1257 Great Broughton

A SHED in the rear garden of a bungalow on South Close, Kilham was forced open overnight between January 15 and January 16.

A search has been made of the shed but nothing is believed to have been stolen.

POLICE have urged motorists to take extra care when leaving their vehicles unattended after two thefts from cars in Driffield.

The incidents have involved car windows being smashed in the Skerne Road area and valuables, including handbags, mobile phones and cash being stolen from inside.

A spokesperson for Humberside Police said: “Police are reminding motorists not to leave items of value on display in their cars as opportunist thieves will see the temptation and they need a matter of just seconds to break in and steal whatever takes their fancy.”

The first incident happened just before 5pm on Wednesday January 4 at Elcock House, on Skerne Road.

A red Citroen C1 was parked securely on the street for a very short time whilst the driver popped into business premises to ask for directions.

In the time she was away from the car a thief smashed the driver’s side front window, reached in and stole a handbag from inside.

The bag contained a mobile telephone, cash, spectacles and various debit, credit and store cards. Some of the items were recovered a few days later on the road side near Lund.

The second offence took place in the car park of the Wolds Gymnastics Club, also on Skerne Road between 5.25pm and 5.35pm on Thursday January 12.

The owner of the Grey Audi A3 left the car secure and unattended in the unlit car park when the driver’s side rear door window was smashed.

A handbag, which had been left on the rear seat covered by a jacket, was removed.

The bag contained a small amount of cash, various debit and credit cards and a personal CD player.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 referring to logs 426 of 04 January 2012 or log 467 of 467 of 12 January. Alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thousands of residents have signed up to receive a text which reminds them to put out their brown bins. Within days of East Riding of Yorkshire Council launching its reminder service, nearly 7,000 residents had signed up and that number is rising.

Brandesburton Parish Council has restored the crumbling village market cross following a successful application to the Coast, Wolds, Wetlands and Waterways LEADER programme Fast Track Grant Scheme.

The medieval cross - the best preserved in the East Riding – was in poor condition and deteriorating after decades of wear and tear, partly due to recent severe winters.

The repair project cost around £5000, of which £3500 was provided by the LEADER Fast Track Scheme, which helps promote, preserve and maintain rural heritage.

The market cross is Grade II listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument and permission for the work was gained from English Heritage.

An information board detailing the history of the cross will be erected shortly.

The official ‘unveiling’ of the restored market cross will be held on Friday January 27 at 3pm. with Jo Ledingham, headteacher of Brandesburton Primary School officiating. A class of children will attend and the school choir will sing the Hallelujah Chorus.

The village green at Brandesburton with its medieval cross, was the site of the weekly Thursday market and a fair held annually on May 3, established by Sir Herbert de St Quintin under a charter granted in 1286.

The market had ceased by the 18th century, to be replaced by a short lived fortnightly cattle market in the early 19th century. An annual fair for horses and cattle, then held on the May 15, existed in 1857 but had ceased by 1872.

The Brandesburton cross was probably erected in the 14th century. The top of the shaft was once richly decorated with the figures of two angels standing back to back with their hands in an attitude of prayer. These have long since worn away leaving only the base and the ten foot high octagonal shaft. In the 19th century the village stocks stood against the cross and it was a regular meeting place for the Holderness Hunt. In 1911 Sir Tatton Sykes planned to replace the cross. He had new crosses placed at Langtoft and Sherburn and commissioned replacements for Brandesburton and North Frodingham. An elaborate new cross was made for Brandesburton, a replica of the Kilnsea Cross but it was not erected probably because of the death of Sir Tatton in 1913. The replacement cross was placed at Hedon and now resides in the gardens of Holyrood House.

THE Rev DAVID E Fletcher has been welcomed as the new Priest-in-Charge for churches within the Waggoners and Woldsburn benefices.

Mr Fletcher 58, moved to Pulham Lane in Wetwang with his wife Pat from Halifax on November 18 last year, and was licensed on Novemeber 28, just in time for the advent period.

Before becoming ordained as a priest in 2002, Mr Fletcher served as a primary school teacher for 23 years.

He has also served as Head Teacher at schools in Calderdale and Bradford. The priest and his wife, Pat, who met at teacher training college in the 1970s, decided to move to East Yorkshire following Pat’s retirement from teaching science in secondary schools in 2011.

Mr Fletcher said: “East Yorkshire is always somewhere we’ve wanted to go, so when I saw this job was available I applied and was accepted.”

After spending 10 years as both a curate and a vicar in his previous parish in Halifax, Mr Flethcher is relishing the challenge of taking on a rural parish.

He said: “Taking on a rural parish as opposed to an urban parish is a challenge but very exciting.”

He will be ministering to 12 parishes within The Waggoners and Woldsburn Benefices - Fridaythorpe, Thixendale, Fimber, Sledmere, Cowlam and Wetwang, Garton, Bainton, North Dalton, Middleton, Kilwick and Kirkburn.

He said: “Twelve parishes is daunting, but then I feel a sense of excitement.

“As a youngster I collected stamps, my mother always taught me to go for the best and biggest collection but I never thought as an adult I would be collecting church wardens”.

With two retired ministers, two self supporting ministers, three lay readers and a host of church wardens to aid him in tending to all 12 of his parishes, Mr Fletcher has plans to expand congregations and reach out into the wide communities of his parishes.

Mr Fletcher said: “One of the reasons I applied, although 12 churches sounds daunting, is that the profiles noted that each congregation was looking to grow and reach out into the local community - I want to bring new ideas to enable that to happen and to support things that are going well and to build on that.”

Mr Fletcher has one grown up daughter, Emma, a son-in-law, Dan, and three grandchildren, Jacob 13, Molly 11 and Charlotte 7.

MORE than 4,000 motorists in the Humberside area were breathalysed by police over the festive period as part of a casualty reduction campaign targeting drivers who drove whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Humberside Police took part in the nationwide campaign for a two month period, from November 1 to January 1, with officers stopping drivers at all times of the day and night.

Party goers were warned to think before they drove the morning after a big night out with the key message and focus being particularly aimed at drivers under the age of 25.

During the campaign period 4,441 motorists were breathalysed in the Humberside Police area, with 5.4 per cent (239) either failing or refusing to provide a breath test or being over the legal alcohol limit.

Of the 1,032 drivers under the age of 25 who were breathalysed, five per cent (52) either failed or refused to provide a specimen of breath, or were found to be over the legal alcohol limit.

Superintendent Darren Downs, head of the Roads Policing Unit for Humberside Police said: “This is an encouraging reduction in offending rates in the under 25s age group compared to results from similar, previous drink and drug driving campaigns throughout 2010 and 2011.

“Since the summer of 2010, offending rates in the under 25s have ranged from 5.2 percent to 10.8 per cent at its highest, in the summer of 2011, so the results this year make us hopeful that the Don’t Drink and Drive message is being heard by this group of drivers.”

He added: “The vast majority of motorists travelling on the roads throughout the Humberside Police area are to be congratulated for their considerate and responsible driving attitude and behaviour during the campaign period.

“However, for those few irresponsible and selfish individuals who decide not to heed all the warnings and continue to drink and drive, be warned that Humberside Police is looking out for you and there is a very high probability that you will be caught and dealt with by the criminal justice process. Not only will you face a heavy fine and a driving ban, but you may also have to face more serious consequences, such as a prison sentence or even losing your livelihood.

“People should remember that alcohol stays in the system for many hours after they stop drinking and following a night out they could still be over the limit the next morning when they get in their car to drive to work or drop the children off at school.”

A CONSULTATION event into specific sites for housing and employment development takes place in Worksop on 24th January.

The Bassetlaw Council event at the town hall from 6.30pm-8pm will give people the chance to talk to planners about possible development sites.

PARISH councillors have called on East Riding of Yorkshire Council to speed up plans to remove a gypsy from a site in Nafferton after he lost his appeal to stay there permanently over five months ago.

Last August Irish traveller Anthony Quinn lost his planning appeal to site a caravan permanently and build a stable block on his own land on Back Carr Lane.

Mr Quinn was told by East Riding of Yorkshire Council planners that the development would harm the appearance of the countryside and the site was unsuitable for its proposed use, while the area’s need for gypsy sites was low.

But several villagers have now contacted the Parish Council and the ERYC, concerned that Mr Quinn is still occupying the site despite having been given three months notice to leave.

In a letter sent to the Parish Council, which was read out at their latest meeting, John and Christopher Wresdell claimed that Mr Quinn is using nearby waterways to dispose of the contents of his chemical toilet.

“For the record the latest misdemeanour committed by Mr Quinn and his family is that they are now tipping the contents of their chemical toilet into any convenient dyke on the roadside between Back Carr Lane and Outgates Farm.

“There is also a dog howling regularly most nights and the generator noise appears erratic at the moment,” they said.

The meeting also heard Paul Burkinshaw, of Lowthorpe Lane, contacted ERYC to ask why the enforcement process had not begun and was told by Graham Carver, planning enforcement officer, the matter was being dealt with.

But Mr Burkinshaw is concerned that once an enforcement notice is issued it could take up to a year before the site is vacated.

“What is of concern is Mr Carver indicated that the time scale that could be given can be up to a year which I am sure you will agree would be totally unacceptable and agree that the shortest time scale possible should be given.

“I am not sure exactly how long Mr Quinn has unlawfully been living in the field but it must be a few years now and it is about time that the matter was dealt with and done so promptly,” Mr Burkinshaw said.

In response to Mr Burkinshaw’s concerns Mr Carver said they had sought advice from the council’s legal section and were awaiting welfare checks on the occupants of the caravans before any action can be taken.

Mr Carver said such checks had to be carried out otherwise the council could “fall foul if an appeal is raised by Mr Quinn and possibly a public enquiry.”

“I have asked our housing section to make the necessary checks and I am waiting for their response. As soon as we are able, we will continue with the notice which is now with the planners,” Mr Carver added.

Nafferton Parish Council will contact the Environment agency about the alleged use of waterways for the disposal of toilet waste.

It will also send all the correspondence from villagers to ERYC and Couns Jane Evison and Jonathan Owen to ask them to put pressure on council officers to resolve the issue quickly.

DRIFFIELD’S MP Greg Knight is calling on the Government to make greater use of variable speed limits.

Currently, in built-up areas such as those around Driffield, most speed limits are permanent and in operation for 24 hours a day.

But Mr Knight says that this does not reflect the fact that the dangers which justify lower speed limits are often ‘transient’.

The MP says that speed limits “should always be justifiable by the road conditions” and believes that there is an overwhelming case for introducing variable speed limits in villages and towns.

“Some well-meaning campaigners say that all villages and town centres should have permanent 20 mph limits, but this blanket approach is misguided and wrong,” said the MP.

During Transport Questions Mr Knight told the House of Commons: “Is the Minister aware that often the danger that justifies a 20 mph limit is transient, such as outside a school, where the danger is present only briefly during the school day—in the morning, at lunch time and in the afternoon?

“As we already have the lowest speed limits in Europe, will the Minister encourage local authorities to make greater use of variable 20 mph limits so that once the danger has passed the limit will default to 30?”

Replying, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport, Mr Mike Penning, said that the government was looking at Mr Knight’s suggestion. He also confirmed that mandatory variable speed limits ‘will continue to be used as part of the management of traffic on controlled and managed motorways on the strategic road network.’

l What do you think of Mr Knight’s views? Write to the Times & Post at Times House, Mill Street, Driffield. YO25 6TN or email editorial@driffieldtoday.co.uk

POLICE have appealed for help in trying to locate a man they want to speak to in connection with the theft of catalytic converters from vans at an industrial estate.

Detectives want to speak to Ethan Wharton, 31, of York who may be able to help them with an ongoing enquiry into the thefts from Mercedes Benz Vans last November.

A total of 17 catalytic converters were removed from the vans which were parked overnight at Vanmonsters, on Carnaby Industrial Estate, Lancaster Road.

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Ethan Wharton or has any details which may help locate him please contact Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting crime number 1876510.

A petition signed by 220 Burton Fleming residents expressing concern at the village’s speeding problem has been presented to the council.

The petition, organised by the Burton Fleming Speed Awareness Group (BFSAG) and endorsed by Burton Fleming Parish Council is intended to bring the issue to the attention of the council in the hope they will investigate possible solutions.

Villagers are not concerned about the volume of vehicles passing through Burton Fleming, but the high speed of traffic, which they claim is posing a safety risk.

BFSAG also pointed out that there are a number of hazards in the small village including two duck ponds, a pub and a caravan park, and say a number of ducks had already been killed on the road.

Samantha Goacher from the speed awareness group, said: “Villagers have lost cats and everyone is concerned that if nothing is done one of the community could be hit by a car. The group are in favour of some kind of traffic calming measure being brought in. People need to realise that this is our community and respect that.”

Mrs Goacher said that people use the village as a cut through and the majority of residents were behind the speeding campaign. Police are training villagers to use speed guns so they can monitor drivers and a 24 hour a day, week long speeding survey is due to take place to see just how bad the problem is in Burton Fleming.

Council officers have agreed to investigate in conjunction with the police and ward councillors and report back to the Environment and Regeneration Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

POLICE have released CCTV images of a man they are trying to locate following a high value robbery at Griffins Jewellers, Prospect Street, Bridlington on Saturday 21 January 2012.

Between 1245hrs and 1257hrs, a man has entered the store and asked the female shop assistant if he could look at some earrings on display in the window.

The man and the woman leave the shop and the man indicates which of the items he wishes to see.

They both re enter the shop and the shop assistant shows the man the items of jewellery.

It is then alleged the man knocked a tray of jewellery out of her hand before asking her to wrap up a pair of earrings he wished to purchase and he would be back in a short time.

As the woman returned the items to the window she noticed a large value ring, valued at an estimated £24,000, had been stolen.

The man did not return to the store and the shop assistant alerted police of the theft.

The man has been decribed as being a white man, aged between 35-42 years old,of a medium build, and wearing a baseball cap, light coloured top (possibly with a hood) a white t shirt beneath and light coloured jeans.

Following the incident police released two electronic images of the man. Police have spoken to a number of witnesses and a number of desriptions have been been given to police.

Anyone who may have information in connection with the incident is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting crime reference 1886581.

A PENSIONER who once claimed to be “the Private Eye of Humberside” by running his own online blog has been slapped with an Anti-Social Behaviour Order for 10 years to protect the public.

Judge Fred Rutherford’s decision, made after a full-day hearing at Hull Magistrates Court, to impose the ASBO on Christopher Perry, 65, was welcomed by Humberside Police and those who had been on the receiving end of articles and photographs published on his website ‘Wolds Eye View’, which was removed last June.

Despite Perry’s barrister, Brigid Baillie, putting forward an argument for the freedom of expression under article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights Judge Rutherford said: “It’s a nonsense to try to hide appalling actions behind article 10 and I have in mind within that ruling the protection of the rights of others from such obvious anti-social behaviour.”

It is thought to be the first time a blogger has been given an ASBO.

But speaking after Friday’s hearing, Perry, of Southfield Close, Wetwang, said the order had effectively gagged him while a spokesperson for the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the move could possibly pose a threat to other “citizen journalists” who run their own news websites or online blogs.

Under the terms of the order, Perry has been banned from contacting, in any way, several key members of the community - including the Reverend Robert Amos, former town mayor and current town councillor Steve Poessl, and retired Driffield police inspector and clerk to Pocklington town council Richard Wood - who had been the subject of a series of unfounded allegations published on his website.

The court heard that Perry, who claimed to have worked as a journalist, published allegations on the website about Mr Wood being involved in police corruption that were contained in a manuscript written by former traffic warden Christine Newlove, called The Thin Yellow Line.

But Mr Wood told the court that the allegations were not legitimate and he reported them to the police.

“I felt cheated that I hadn’t had the opportunity to actually defend myself, it was just put out as though it was fact and that’s wrong. The authorities that are there to deal with such matters should be left to deal with it.

“All I can do is speak of the hurt and distress I had when I read this on a website. It’s disgraceful,” Mr Wood said.

“Without any evidence at all, he’s just launched into a diatribe to blacken my name,” he added.

The court heard that Perry turned up at Mr Wood’s home and photographed his car as well as his place of work.

While Perry argued that he was enquiring into Mr Wood’s lifestyle after he purchased a personalised number plate for his car, Mr Wood described his behaviour as distasteful.

“This man is making enquiries of other people, it’s like a pincer movement, it really is quite distasteful. The man at one stage came and photographed my car, my work place and made allegations that there should be an enquiry into my means and that’s disgraceful,” Mr Wood added.

One article published by Perry referred to Councillor Poessl, whose father was a mechanic in the German Luftwaffe, as an “Obergruppenfuhrer” - a Nazi party paramilitary rank. Another referred to him wearing jack boots.

When quizzed by Perry’s barrister, Brigid Baillie, about whether or not he was particularly sensitive, Coun Poessl said: “There are certain allegations I’m sensitive about because it relates back to when I was younger and they are racial abuse.”

But Perry denied any racist intentions and said he used the term because it sounded right.

“As someone who is the son of a German prisoner of war I was brought up never to be rude about Germans, or anybody else, so if there’s been offence it was not intentional,” Perry said.

Photographs of Rev Amos, of Driffield Methodist Church, going about his day to day business also appeared on the website as well as allegations that he stood to make money out of a land deal.

Kirsten Mercer, prosecuting on behalf of the Chief Constable of Humberside Police, told the court that Perry had shouted at Rev Amos: “I’m going to bring you down with the power of journalism,” something which he denied in court.

Perry said he took the photographs because Rev Amos “looked extremely evasive” and because he and his mother “had both been badly let down” by him.

In October 2009, Perry received a warning from the police under the Protection from Harassment Act, a move which he said left him “thunderstruck.”

Perry also told the court that he believed he had been the victim of a hate campaign in Wetwang, with ‘BNP flags’ being draped over his garden gate, and the village was subject to a “gang culture” with residents frightened about things going on.

“To put it mildly it has been a nightmare existence,” Perry said.

Perry, who claimed to have attended York University in the 1960s, said he had moved to Wetwang from Winchester, with his 93-year-old mother, to be closer to his university roots.

He said he had worked as a Home Office British Crime Survey researcher from 1997 to 2006 which gave him access to the homes of around 50 police officers and 14,000 other people, as a local government correspondent for a family-run newspaper in St Helens in 1974 and had served as an elected member of Liverpool City Council.

He said he was on a Daily Mirror training scheme in Plymouth before moving to work on the Surrey Comet and, later, on the Liverpool Daily Post before moving into teaching.

The order prohibits Perry from engaging in any behaviour which causes or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one of more persons not of the same household in the Humberside Police area; causing or inciting any other person to engage in behaviour which is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to one or more persons not of the same household in the Humberside Police area; entering on foot or otherwise any private land without the express permission of the lawful occupier; directly or indirectly approaching, contacting or communicating with Richard and Diane Wood, Steven and Myra Poessl, William Buckle, Deborah and Polat Akcicek, and the Reverend Robert Amos.