A judge has branded ‘Captain’ Garry Oates an “arrogant man” who “refuses to take responsibility for his actions” as he was handed a suspended prison sentence after injuring a car boot marshal more than 5 years ago.
Garry Victor Oates, 66, of Fort Street in Sandown, was found guilty at trial back in June of dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at an event at Sandown Airport on 26th June 2021.
He entered a formal not guilty plea to the charges in May 2022, but it has taken 4 years to progress through the courts to a conviction.
The trial against Oates – who calls himself ‘Captain’ – initially got underway, after many push-backs, in December last year. However, after just a few hours the jury was discharged when Oates’ solicitor became ‘professionally embarrassed’ and dropped his client.
Other delays in the case had occurred due to listing errors, Oates’ refusal to see the case heard anywhere but the Island on account of his disabled wife, and issues with those defending him.
The jury heard how the victim in the case, Mr Mark Patterson, was working as a voluntary marshal, who, wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), was tasked with controlling traffic and ensuring that no vehicles entered the site off Scotchells Brook Lane in Lake.Oates, driving his gas-guzzling silver Mercedes 4×4, approached the road near the junction with Newport Road, wishing to turn towards Sandown Airport.
Tanya Fitzgerald, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), told the jury that Oates was told that it wasn’t permitted, and instead of driving off, as instructed by the marshal, he proceeded to make contact with the male at a speed between 5 and 10mph.
The victim was struck by the front bumper of the vehicle, with the bonnet of the car making contact with his hip and head.
Captain Oates then left the scene, with Mr Patterson taken to St Mary’s Hospital, where he received treatment.
The 65-year-old eco-campaigner was arrested at his home address the next day and denied the allegations in Police interview, offering a completely different version of events.
During the trial, the jury heard the 999 call made by witness Sally Cochran in the moments after Mr Patterson was struck.
On the call, Ms Cochran said “I have just witnessed someone drive into a pedestrian at Sandown Airport”, before going into detail about the vehicle involved, telling the call handler “it’s a Mercedes 4×4 with Blue Seas Protection written on the back of it”.
The court also heard from 3 other witnesses to the collision: a doctor who worked at St Mary’s Hospital at the time of the offence, and the police officer who interviewed Oates after his arrest.
Mr Oates had decided not to give any evidence himself – despite having waited almost 5 years to have his say in court.
Garry Oates is no stranger to the courtroom, having been convicted of a public order offence in 2022 following a row with a traffic warden, and assault back in 2019 when he attacked a harbourmaster. Oates has also appeared on Island Echo for his involvement with Blue Seas Protection and a situation that arose with the Charities Commission.
Oates appeared before Portsmouth Crown Court, via video link from the Isle of Wight Crown Court, where it was disclosed that he had sacked his solicitor Wendy Cooke prior to the hearing beginning. The sentencing exercise proceeded, nevertheless.
Reading aloud victim statement, Mr Patterson said is now “permenantely on medication” following the incident and that the incident has had a significant effect on himself and his family, adding that his children “shouldn’t have to worry about their dad going downhill”. Mr Patterson said he “shouldn’t have been treated this way” for just “doing my job.”
Offering his own mitigation, Oates who had to get an advocate to read because he had forgotten his glasses, asked for the judge to adjourn the case to allow him to seek new representation claiming his previous counsel was “ineffective”. Oates’ advocate said there was an active appeal against his conviction.
Speaking directly to the judge, Oates said the case had been hanging over his head for 5 years and more than 10 trial dates. He went on to say that at trial, and despite the jury finding him guilty, the “truth didn’t come out”.
Judge Melville KC said he wasn’t going to adjourn the case and carried on with his sentencing remarks. Addressing Oates, he called the 66-year-old an “arrogant man” who “refuses to take responsibility for his actions”.
Oates was handed a 2-year prison sentence suspended for 2-years. He was ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days and was banned from driving for 24-months.
Captain Oates must pay a £1,000 fine and compensation of £2,000 to Mr Patterson.
Before leaving court, Oates said “I did not do this crime”.
