2001-04-28
Hmm. This is so interesting. One can only wonder on what grounds a higher
court could over turn the lower courts decision. The court decision was not
made on emotional grounds about culture and whatever, but on the validity of
the law and whether or not Steven Thoburn had broken it or not. The court
decided he had broken the law. How can a higher court see otherwise? Can
this issue be taken to an even higher court if the outcome is not pleasing
to either side?
Since the Sunderland decision, the Trading Standards were given the green
light to start prosecuting traders out of compliance. Does that put a halt
on these activities until this higher courts decision is made? Or can the
trading standards continue to prosecute based on the Sunderland decision? I
don't think a decision to appeal should be a reason to stall the prosecution
of offenders.
The next 8 months will prove to be very interesting.
John
Keiner ist hoffnungsloser versklavt als derjenige, der irrt�mlich glaubt
frei zu sein.
There are none more hopelessly enslaved then those who falsely believe they
are free!
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)
----- Original Message -----
From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, 2001-04-28 09:58
Subject: [USMA:12530] From the Sunderland Echo
The so-called "Metric Martyr" announced his decision to continue his
legal battle yesterday.
Mr Thoburn was given a six-month conditional discharge for breaching
Weights and Measures regulations earlier this month.
His prosecution, the first of its kind in Britain, was brought by
Sunderland City Council's trading standards' department.
Mr Thoburn, 36, of Association Road, Roker, had denied two charges of
using scales which had not been officially approved because they were
unable to weigh in metric - a requirement of European law.
His appeal could be heard at the Divisional Court, in London, in the
autumn.
But it will only go ahead if �500,000 is raised through a fighting
fund set up to protect Mr Thoburn against legal costs.
The fund, which has received donations from across the world,
currently stands at just over �100,000.
The father-of-two said he had decided to continue with the support of
wife Leigh.
He said: "People have asked me to pursue this further and I don't mean
from any political party whatsoever, I mean just general people, my
customers, people in the street.
"I want to take it further to try and clear my name in this ridiculous
thing.
"My wife wants me to do this more than anybody because she has had
unbelievable support.
"She has had phone calls at home saying 'stand by him, he is only
doing what he feels is right for everybody'."
A Sunderland City Council spokesman said: "We are aware of reports
that Mr Thoburn intends to appeal so we will await receipt of legal
papers.
"As this means the case is continuing we don't think it is appropriate
to comment further."
Published: 28.4.01 � Northeast Press Ltd
