The New Dark Age

23 January 2012 — Hull Daily Mail

[It’s a mad, mad world…]

A PENSIONER has been banned from talking to his local vicar for ten years after targeting him in an online blog. Christopher Perry, 65, also used his website to accuse Humberside Police and councillors of corruption.

‘GAGGING ORDER’: Christopher Perry arrives at Hull Magistrates’ Court.

Now, he has been given a ten-year Asbo banning him from contacting The Reverend Robert Amos, of Driffield Methodist Church.

If he breaches the order, he could face up to five years in prison.

Perry, of Southfield Close, Wetwang, said he felt gagged and is hoping to apply for a judicial review.

He said: ‘I am considering my options and will either appeal or apply for a judicial review. It depends on the cost implications.

‘This is a gagging order that goes far beyond an Asbo. I think it gives a sign to other people not to complain about things or challenge anything.

‘Unfortunately, because of the Leveson inquiry and what happened at the News Of The World, all journalists are being tarred with the same brush.’

His website, Wolds Eye View, was taken down last year.

A hearing at Hull Magistrates’ Court heard Perry, a retired journalist and teacher, investigated Mr Amos‘s ‘lifestyle’ after being ‘let down’ by him.

He told Mr Amos: ‘I’m going to bring you down by the power of journalism.’

Perry’s solicitor, Brigitte Bailie, said the Asbo would breach Perry’s human right to freedom of expression, an argument rejected by district judge Frederick Rutherford.

He said: ‘It is a nonsense to hide such appalling actions behind human rights. This is clearly antisocial behaviour and people need protection from it.’

Perry said he spent the last part of his career as a crime researcher, but had previously worked as a local government reporter on the Liverpool Daily Post.

The court heard his site also referred to the former Driffield mayor, Steven Poessl, as ‘Obergruppenführer’, which was a senior rank in the SS.

Mr Poessl, whose father was a mechanic in the Luftwaffe, said he was ‘insulted’ by the references.

Former police inspector Richard Wood, now clerk to Pocklington Town Council, said allegations he was involved in corruption were ‘disgraceful and unfounded’.

After the hearing, he said: ‘I am relieved. This has been very difficult.’

The court heard Perry began his investigations in 2009 after he was given a manuscript called The Thin Yellow Line, which accused officers from Humberside Police of covering up a traffic offence committed by a councillor.

He later contacted Mr Poessl and Mr Wood asking them to respond to the allegations. Both called the police.

He also photographed Mr Wood‘s house and car and posted the images on the website.

Inspector Mick Bower, the neighbourhood policing team commander for Goole, Howden and Pocklington, said: ‘We are pleased with the court’s decision as it supports Humberside Police in its role to protect the communities we serve.’

The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring any criminal charges against Perry.

Under the order, Perry is banned from causing harassment, alarm or distress, entering any private land without permission of the landowner and contacting Richard and Diane Wood, Steven and Myra Poessl, The Reverend Robert Amos, William Buckle and Deborah and Polat Akcicek.