A Ventnor man who breached his criminal behaviour order, which prohibits him from dialling 999, found himself before the courts last week, where he told a judge that all solicitors on the Isle of Wight are allegedly ‘corrupt’.
Michael Clifton-Smith, 38, of High Street, appeared before the Isle of Wight Crown Court for sentencing last Friday (31st July) in relation to breaches of his criminal behaviour order.
As reported by Island Echo, Clifton-Smith previously pleaded guilty to 3 counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order, which was imposed back in November 2024 in a bid to stop him from calling 999 unless it is for a genuine reason.
He also pleaded guilty to criminal damage and a public order offence at the Magistrates Court, where it was heard he used insulting, abusive and threatening words and behaviour with the intention of causing a Ventnor woman to fear violence.
Defending himself in the Crown Court, Clifton-Smith told the judge that he can no longer get a duty solicitor on the Island, quoting corruption and hatred as the reason why no one will defend him.
Clifton-Smith has been a familiar face in court for his nuisance calls to the emergency services in recent years.
He told the court that he thinks all solicitors on the Isle of Wight are corrupt, going on to say:
“They don’t want to do their job; their excuse is conflict of interest – they all hate me.”
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He offered no evidence to support his claims.
As a result of this, he asked Recorder Jaron Crooknorth if his sentencing could be moved to Portsmouth in order for him to obtain legal representation.
However, after the court had agreed to grant Clifton-Smith his wish of sentencing in Portsmouth, he complained that he had only been given 3-4 weeks to find representation, saying “that’s going to cost me a lot of money”.
He said that he wishes they would give him longer, as his benefits would not allow him to make multiple journeys within the month.
Michael Clifton-Smith was bailed until the adjourned sentencing date of 28th August.
