A self-proclaimed ‘captain’ and prominent eco-campaigner has been found guilty at trial of running over a car boot marshal in Sandown almost 5 years ago.
Garry Oates, 65, of Fort Street in Sandown, stood trial accused 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.
On Monday (8th June), the second trial finally got underway at the Isle of Wight Crown Court.
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 allegedly 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 this week’s 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.
Earlier in the week, in a shock move, jurors heard that 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.
Returning this morning (Thursday), Judge Melville KC gave the jury legal direction before both the prosecution and defence gave their closing statements.
Summarising for the CPS, Tanya Fitzgerald told the jury that they had not just heard the statement of the victim but also 4 other independent witnesses who also said they saw the defendant drive deliberately into Mr Patterson. She also said that evidence suggested Oates was a man who “didn’t like being told what to do by authority figures”.
Defending Oates, solicitor Wendy Cook urged the jury to be “very careful” when examining the evidence they had heard.
Having retired at around 12:00, the jury returned with their verdict just after 15:00. They found Captain Oates guilty on both counts.
The 65-year-old will be sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court on 24th July 2026. A pre-sentence report will be compiled for that date.
Oates who drove to court this morning (Thursday) was shocked to realise he wouldn’t be able to drive home following the imposition of a interim driving ban.
When leaving the court, the 65-year-old branded the decision as “disgusting”.
I have had many an encounter with this vile, aggressive, entitled, self proclaimed “Captain”. He has dodged the courts for far too long and I hope any sentencing takes this into account.
Maybe time for a court-martial.
Let us hope that at long last, the Judge can give a lengthy sentence to this plank of entitlement, which would leave him saying “I am just going outside and may be some time”.