Cllr David Whittaker Found Guilty Of Sex Charge

Isle of Wight Conservative councillor Cllr David Whittaker has today been found guilty of engaging in sexual activity in public toilet in Carisbrooke, the County Press is reporting.

Cllr WhittakerHe was charged back in August and the same day issued a statement to VentnorBlog saying, “he is physically incapable of performing the alleged acts.”

The CP further reports that following today’s verdict at the Island’s Magistrates Court he, “said he would appeal against the conviction, which came after a half-day hearing.”

Back in May 2010, Cllr Whittaker raised attention from the Police, with them deciding to take no further action.

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hmmm
11, January 2011 5:58 pm

it amuses me that he mentions in his quote the fact that the hearing only took half a day, as if that makes a difference. The evidence convinced the court that he was guilty. That it took only half a day shows not that the evidence was considered too rapidly, but surely that the evidence was so compelling that it didnt take long to find him guilty.… Read more »

daniel clarke
11, January 2011 6:11 pm

He should resign and a by-election should be held in Newport West. He shouldn’t be allowed to continue in his position with a criminal conviction.

Barry Wom
11, January 2011 6:14 pm

A half day is an absolutely standard length of time for a Magistrates Court trial. For the sort of matters they deal with and as there is no jury and a simplified procedure it is quite unusual for a trial to last longer.

Mr Justice
11, January 2011 6:32 pm

Resign. It’s the least he can do. I think it might also be a good idea for him to seek treatment. That a man of his age engages in such behaviour should tell him that he needs some.

Maybe this is the real reason the Tories are closing all the Island’s loos? To prevent further indiscretion.

My sympathy is with his family.

hmmm
Reply to  Mr Justice
12, January 2011 3:52 pm

he shouldnt be permitted the dignity of a resignation. He should be dismissed for gross misconduct immediately.

Judi Livermore
Reply to  Mr Justice
13, January 2011 8:08 pm

Do we know if he voted against the closure of public loos on the Island?

Hermit
Reply to  Mr Justice
26, September 2011 5:35 pm

Don’t forget his son, the other Councillor Whittaker from Ryde, ( no longer ) was the one that spat in a Police Officers face after assaulting someone, and told the officer he had AIDS and hoped the officer would die. Nice bunch this lot

Occam
11, January 2011 6:38 pm

Revolting behaviour from a revolting man.

meursault
11, January 2011 7:22 pm

Maybe he should take a leaf out of George Micheal’s book – use the irony and become a vocal supporter of maintaining public toilet prevision on the Island? ;-)

Victor Meldrew
Reply to  meursault
11, January 2011 10:57 pm

Sorry Mersault, did you mean provision or perversion? The latter seems more apt.

Does the fact that they are situated in Carisbrooke make them a country cottage?

Meursault
Reply to  Victor Meldrew
11, January 2011 11:43 pm

:-) Sorry I did mean provision. Although maybe a little Freudian slip in there…

steephill jack
11, January 2011 8:00 pm

I feel sorry for the poor man, but I do want the toilets to stay open.

The Auditor
11, January 2011 10:45 pm

It’s just as well that he did not commit his indiscretion in a public loo in Kabul…..
He might end up losing more than his seat on the local council.

Don Smith
Reply to  The Auditor
11, January 2011 11:41 pm

Will he lose his seat on the Council?

There are several MPs and members of ‘That other
place’ who have criminal records and still help to make the laws of the land.

As the Speaker of the House said, ‘Let him without sin claim their expenses’.

Dad of two
12, January 2011 12:28 am

Take a good hard look at where they can make cuts! (parish councillors) This is NOT poor old man he has done a wrong and 2 wrongs don’t make a right and he got away with it last time and came back this man is either stupid or a danger get rid of the toilets do we really want them when pervs and hanging round them? He… Read more »

romeantique
12, January 2011 8:32 am

Good on him I say, as he has put the tories in an even more compromising position than the one he was caught in. If they get rid of him they have to face a by election against the backlash from the justified public anger at them using central government cuts to cover up their own financial incompetence, and if they back him they will all be… Read more »

mark francis
12, January 2011 10:09 am

I am not really sure that being a perv should necessarily disqualify one from political office. I am sure that many of the famous political figures of the past were at it like knives. I would never vote for someone like Whittaker as he is a Tory but if he can cut the mustard as a councillor, I do not particularly care how he gets his jollies.… Read more »

seb
12, January 2011 1:46 pm

how embarrassing for him.

i don’t think one should revel at other people’s misfortune.

he still has an option of appealing if he wants to pursue the case.

Agnes Dayee
12, January 2011 3:39 pm

How sad it is, that this man is so lacking in self-confidence and self-worth that he has to resort to a public toilet – hardly the Hilton Hotel of romantic get-aways – for a sordid little episode like this. Come on Councillor – be honest and get a real life!!!

Steve Goodman
26, September 2011 2:57 pm

Today on Vectis radio he unconvincingly insisted that despite losing his case at both trial and appeal he had done nothing wrong. I see from VB that the offence took place in June 2010, a month after he was told that another sexual offence case against him was to be dropped unless new evidence becomes available. He also said he will not resign; Pugh (of Pughtube fame)… Read more »

Janet Scott
Reply to  Steve Goodman
26, September 2011 5:23 pm

Steve, I am certain he also stated towards the end of his conversation with Ian Mac that he wasn’t heterosexual ! I may have misheard.

Steve Goodman
Reply to  Janet Scott
26, September 2011 11:01 pm

I heard that too, Janet!

No.5
Reply to  Janet Scott
27, September 2011 1:08 am

Is that relevent?

No.5
Reply to  No.5
27, September 2011 1:12 am

This guy probably comes from a time when homosexuality was illegal and gays damned for their sexuality..its sad that such people sought solace in sordid meetings in public toilets…but understandable considering their upbringing.

I’ll not gloat about this mans choices because of his politics and hope that in some way he finds some happiness

Don Smith
Reply to  No.5
27, September 2011 7:19 pm

Part of selecting a toilet has nothing to do with when homosexuality was a crime – The participants get an extra thrill, because of the location – Strange but true.

Some time ago a very famous pop star could have booked into the Ritz had he wanted to do.

I agree, let this man move on.

Lora Norder
Reply to  Steve Goodman
26, September 2011 9:45 pm

His defence seemed to be that he isn’t capable of having an er*ction. Despite that, the legal system found him guilty, that’s the end of it. He is guilty.

As for refusing to quit office, I would bet as a pensioner, the generous monthly allowance is almost certainly a major part of his income?

Steve Goodman
Reply to  Lora Norder
26, September 2011 11:07 pm

He said today that his defence was that he was at home at the time.
He also said that a witness was inconsistant!

Lora Norder
27, September 2011 8:47 am

At the time, the County Press reported his inability to commit the offence, not his absence from the toilet building. If he now claims he wasn’t there, that’s new.

Steve Goodman
Reply to  Lora Norder
27, September 2011 12:10 pm

Quite.

(It did not take me very long to learn not to rely on what is said by either Whittaker or the council press)

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