The case against a former hotel owner who allegedly failed to keep his property safe on the Isle of Wight has been thrown out.
Stephen Purvis, 41, of Windlestone, Ferryhill, County Durham, was due to appear before the Isle of Wight Magistrates Court yesterday (Tuesday), but his case has been dropped and his costs are being assessed.
Community Protection Notice
Mr Purvis was charged with being a body failing to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) against the Ocean Hotel on Sandown Esplanade.
Up until 31st May this year, Mr Purvis had been a shareholder and director of Phoenix Commercial Property Developments (PCPD) who owned the freehold of the Ocean Hotel.
It was alleged that at 12th July, no action on the CPN had been completed, started or even attempted.
Case has been discontinued
The Isle of Wight Magistrates Court today (Wednesday) confirmed the case has been discontinued, with Mr Purvis’ costs to be assessed.
A CPN warning was first issued against the Ocean Hotel and its owners on 12th May by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, giving them a month to comply with the warning.
Official notice
Nothing had happened, so in June the warning turned into an official notice, which, if ignored, would be a criminal offence to breach.
After its deadline in July, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary confirmed it was summoning the owners of Ocean Hotel to court to answer the breach.
No court appearance
Mr Purvis had been due in court to hear the charge in September, but was not present.
A second date was set for yesterday, but the case has been discontinued.
Hampshire Constabulary has been contacted for a comment.
Correction to previous article
The Local Democracy Reporting (LDR) Service incorrectly issued an article to the LDR pool on Tuesday stating the case had been adjourned, when it had been dismissed.
News OnTheWight removed the previous article (and social media posts) as soon as we were informed of the error.
Articles published to the LDR Pool are used in good faith and we apologise for any confusion the previous article may have caused readers.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © Colin Midmore
