Parish service ‘is harmed’ by Cobo car park van ruling
Thursday 16th April 2009, 2:29PM BST.
Steve Ogier with parts of his damaged van after the incident in June. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0647960)
ISLANDERS’willingness to take on voluntary parish roles was said to have been jeopardised yesterday after a judgement was formally made against a Castel constable in the Petty Debts Court.
Barry Paint, also a States deputy, was prepared to pay the £200 as recommended by the court last week for damaging a van belonging to Steve Ogier.
But despite the court’s suggestion that the money be paid and the matter formally withdrawn, Mr Ogier asked for the judgement to be recorded.
‘I’m happy with it, but surprised I wasn’t awarded costs given that I won the case,’ said Mr Ogier, 36, after the hearing.
He was not prepared to say why he insisted on a formal judgement being made against Deputy Paint but said the costs of his case would be considerable and exceed the £200.
‘I think he [Deputy Paint] acted irrationally like he did because of the Cobo thing [car park ownership dispute].
‘I just hope it’s not the Castel ratepayers who are paying the fees as they were not the ones who damaged my van.’
Assistant-Magistrate Cherry McMillen told the hearing that, usually, the plaintiff’s only interest was to secure payment but as Mr Ogier wanted the matter formerly recorded it was not in her power to refuse.
Deputy Paint said the formal judgement against him would have wider implications and had created a potential pitfall for people carrying out parish duties that should not be there.
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Fact– no one is above the law-well done Gurnsey
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This is total rubbish. Why should volunteers be put off? if they cause damage to other peoples property then they should pay, regardless of what job, voluntary of orther, they do. Perhaps Dep Paint should have taken more care when carrying out his duties.
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If Mr Ogier was parked illegally why hasn’t he been penalized?
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Yes BP was responsible for damage and that’s been dealt with in full (a tad heavy handed given the situation but the law is the law I guess).
BUT the Press would do well to report a full update of why there are still abandoned cars at Cobo and why no-one (including Environment) is doing anything about it.
Surely this isn’t going to drag on for years because of one unsociable person who claims ownership and is happy to make an eyesore of a popular amenity area.
What do Environment have to say given that they can order roses to be removed from a coastal bench!!!
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I agree that the van appeared to be unroadworthy and therefore why was this not dealt with? The car park is a disgrace and very dangerous. What would happen if someone was injured by one of these cars i.e. cut by sharp metal sticking out – who do we complain to? Would the police hide behind the data protection act.
BP agreed to pay the damages anyway so what is the big problem – seems like a bit of a witch hunt to me. I think it will impinge on the public as less people will be willing to volunteer for unpaid work. They parish is insured and therefore the employer should have been fined and not the individual surely?
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