An East Cowes man who turned up at a public meeting, in the presence of an Isle of Wight councillor he was banned from being in contact with, has been found guilty of ‘deliberately’ breaching a restraining order.
Simon Wheeler, of Albany Road, was also found guilty by the Isle of Wight Magistrates’ Court on Thursday of using threatening or abusive words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The offences occurred in February and March last year when he approached Cllr Karl Love on East Cowes Esplanade and then attended a public meeting where the Isle of Wight councillor was present.
Restraining order
Magistrates determined this was in breach of a restraining order issued to Wheeler, 56, in August 2021 following another incident with Cllr Love, where Wheeler had been ordered to have no direct or indirect contact with Cllr Love for a year.
At a trial this week, Cllr Love told magistrates he was walking his dog along the Esplanade and had stopped to look at some flood damage when Wheeler, started coming towards him shouting.
He told Wheeler to go away and leave him alone, as he was making him nervous.
Told to “F*** off”
Wheeler alleged the councillor was provoking him by looking in his garden and had told him to “F*** off”, and said he did not say anything to Cllr Love.
The second incident occurred at a public meeting where the Norris Castle planning application was being discussed.
Wheeler argued he had a right to be at the meeting as his properties could be affected by the knock-on effect of development.
Cllr Love said it made him feel very shaky and nervous as Wheeler was asked to leave by numerous people and started shouting.
Called the councillor a ‘”F***ing C***”
During the ‘scuffle’, Cllr Love said Wheeler shouted, looking directly at him, that he had called him a ‘F***ing C***’, in the presence of agitated members of the public and children.
Simon Moger, representing Wheeler, said Wheeler did not try to engage, speak with or contact Cllr Love at the meeting.
Story changed in the witness box
Ann Smout, prosecuting, said Wheeler changed his story in the witness box on what he understood of his restraining order and his evidence was not credible.
Magistrates said Wheeler caused a disturbance by his refusal to leave and his actions clearly caused some alarm and distress, upsetting the public around him.
Deliberate breaches of the restraining order
Wheeler will be sentenced on 31st March after a pre-sentence probation report is completed.
Magistrates agreed they were deliberate breaches of the restraining order and told Wheeler all sentencing options remained open.
An application has been made for another restraining order as the previous one had lapsed.
Want to be left alone
While giving evidence, Cllr Love said he just wanted Wheeler to leave him alone and stay away from him.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
