There seems to a slight divergence of opinion of the plea entered: > > Metric martyr faces scales of justice over > bananas > > > SUNDERLAND market trader Steven Thoburn has > appeared before city magistrates for selling a > pound of bananas. > > City magistrates heard yesterday that Southwick fruit > and vegetable trader Steven fell foul of the law when he > sold the pound of fruit to Sunderland Trading Standards > officers in July. > Officers seized Steven's two sets of imperial scales > claiming they were illegal, as they did not have an > official stamp indicating they were fit for use. > Mr Thoburn � who has been charged under the Weights > and Measures Act 1985 � is the first British trader to be > taken to court after continuing to sell produce by the > pound. > A European directive ruled that from January this year, it > was no longer legal to sell loose products � which > includes fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat and sweets � > by either the ounce or pound. > Traders instead had to use metric weights and scales. > Appearing before city magistrates yesterday, > father-of-two Steven Thoburn, of Association Road, > Roker, pleaded not guilty to both charges of using illegal > scales. > His barrister, Michael Shrimpton, told the court: > "Essentially what Mr Thoburn is charged with is selling a > pound of bananas. > "It is not a dispute of fact, but a dispute of law. > "What Mr Thoburn is saying is 'Yes, I did exactly what > the prosecution accuses me of doing and I am proud of > doing it'." > The case was adjourned until Monday, January 15. Chris -- Metrication information: http://www.metric.org.uk/ UK legislation, EC Directives, Trading Standards links and more Pro-metric mailing list now available.
