Th legal action against the former owner of the Ocean Hotel has been dropped … and here’s why.
Earlier this week, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided there was no case to answer in the action against Stephen Purvis, the once-owner of the Ocean Hotel, through his company Phoenix Commercial Property Developments (PCPD).
Allegations
It was alleged Mr Purvis failed to comply with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) on 12th July in regard to the Sandown Esplanade eyesore property.
A CPS spokesperson however has confirmed after a review of the case, it concluded the legal test was no longer met.
This was because evidence had been provided to demonstrate Mr Purvis was not the director of PCPD at the time the CPN was issued.
But, how did we get here?
In April last year, the freehold of the Ocean Hotel was sold to PCPD, of which Mr Purvis was a director.
In May this year, Hampshire Constabulary announced it had issued a CPN warning against PCPD, which the company was required to comply with by 10th June.
No action had been taken so the police issued a formal CPN on 11th June, giving the company a month to comply.
Again, no action had been taken by 11th July, so on 12th July Hampshire Constabulary issued summons to court for the owners.
Documents being updated
While all of this was unfolding, however, changes were being at PCPD, but public records were not updated to reflect that.
Documents uploaded to Companies House on 13th September — the day the alleged CPN breach was first due to be heard in court — show Mr Purvis and PCPD parted ways on 31st May.
Legal action launched
A PCPD spokesperson said Mr Purvis has launched legal action against the police and itself, his former company, for failing to accurately maintain its registers.
The company has since sold its freehold to the Ocean Hotel and walked away from the Island.
Hampshire Constabulary has confirmed securing the abandoned hotel is still a priority and is currently liasing with its current owners to make sure it happens.
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
Image: © Isle of Wight Council
