The trial of a man who denied twice breaching a restraining order against an Isle of Wight Councillor has been pushed back until December after he didn’t show up for his court case.
Simon Wheeler, 56, of Albany Road in East Cowes, also denies using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
It follows an incident at a public meeting in March this year, where Mr Wheeler is alleged to have broken his restraining order against Councillor Karl Love. He is also alleged to have broken his restraining order in February this year when Councillor Love and his partner were walking their dog on East Cowes Esplanade.
The trial was due to be heard at the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, but Mr Wheeler was not present.
Mr Wheeler was made the subject of a 12-month restraining order against Councillor Love in August 2021, after magistrates found him guilty of using threatening, abusive and insulting words with the intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
That incident involved him shouting “Mr C**t” at Councillor Love on Clarence Road, East Cowes.
The case has now been adjourned until 8th December.
Could someone explain why a no bail warrant was not issued for his arrest or are we getting half the story
I don’t know, I wasn’t there.
If he had made no contact and didn’t turn up then the trial would have gone ahead without him. That wouldn’t have gone very well for him.
However, if he had contacted the court and given a reasonable excuse – was ill, was told the wrong date by court or solicitor etc then the court might have decided in the interest of Justice to re-arrange the trial
Sounds plausible, shame an extra sentence by the reporter would have solved all this confusion.perhaps they popped out for a wee at the relevant part.
Oh wow! I never realised turning up at court was optional.
Once you’re bailed it’s optional but potentially expensive. Don’t know why the courts waste their time on no-shows; should be a blanket assumption of guilt.
Yet judges do not punish those using chisels.