The trial of Garry ‘Captain’ Oates, a local eco-campaigner accused of driving into a car boot sale marshal in the Summer of 2021, has been adjourned yet again.
Oates, of Fort Street in Sandown, is accused of dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident that is alleged to have taken place at an event at Sandown Airport on Saturday 26th June 2021.
The eco-campaigner, who runs local marine charity Blue Seas Protection, is accused of driving his Mercedes 4×4 at and injuring, a male who was working as an event marshal.
It was all the way back in May 2022 that Mr Oates – who referred to himself at Captain Oates when addressed by the court clerk – first entered not guilty pleas to all matters. It is unclear as to why the case has been delayed for so long.
On Tuesday (11th February), in a surprise move, Recorder McElduff listed the trial to begin the following day. However, despite the listing and having all the involved parties present at court on Wednesday, lengthy delays in the completion of another trial and the lack of court availability in the week commencing Monday 17th February forced the matter to be adjourned once more – without a single statement read.
Recorder McElduff proposed 3 different dates to the Crown Prosecution Service and Mr Oates, with hearings both here on the Island and in Portsmouth mooted.
After deliberations, it was agreed that the trial be pushed back the shortest length of time and transferred to Portsmouth.
In making the decision, Recorder McElduff noted the time it had taken for the case to come to court and the wish for several parties involved to resolve the matter at the earliest opportunity as reasons for his decision.
Captain Oates and his representatives had expressed a preference for the latest possible date – a trial at the Isle of Wight Crown Court in December – due to the logistical issues of travelling to the mainland, however, Mr McElduff saw it fit to transfer the matter to allow the trial to begin as soon as possible.
The case against Oates will commence at Portsmouth Crown Court on Tuesday 6th May 2025.
So a supposed eco campaigner drives a mercedes 4 by 4, obviously do as I say and not what I do.
He obviously knows that the climate b@llocks is all
a scam.
He won’t make colonel though.
Court martial
Lol