Friday 28 August 2009

When Traffic Wardens Attack...

Jason John Pheasey, a traffic warden in Manchester (we're not told if he was on or off duty at the time) got into a bit of a tizzy with another motorist after an incident at a traffic light where 'words were exchanged':
For several miles Pheasey then stalked Mr Robinson, who was so frightened he did not stop to pick up a learner driver waiting for a lesson.

Pheasey, 30, then forced Mr Robinson to stop by swerving his car into his path.

In a bizarre twist Pheasey, from Chadderton, phoned colleagues at Manchester's CCTV control room asking them to focus cameras on the scene.

He then got out of his vehicle, blocked Mr Robinson from leaving his car and abused him.

When Mr Robinson, from Failsworth, finally got out of his car Pheasey punched him in the face. Mr Robinson suffered a cut lip and several teeth were dislodged from his dentures.
Nice!

You must be wondering how a man with such anger management difficulties could get to be a traffic warden, aren't you?

Well, it gets better:
Pheasey, who has a conviction for theft, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
Wait, what...?

A conviction for theft isn't enough to prevent you from becoming a traffic warden?

Still, no doubt he's now behind bars, reflecting on...

Oh:
He was given a 15 week community order and three month curfew. Magistrate Roger Walker said: "You are very lucky that you are not being sent to prison.
*sigh*

Oh, and the reason Pheasey had the altercation in the first place? The fat slob ran a red light! I guess that means he's now unemploy...

Oh, FFS!
Tim Hopley, defending, said: "Pheasey is not bad, neither a violent person and is very disappointed with himself for hitting him. "It was a moment of madness. He can't recall striking the blow but accepts that he did. "He is now subject to a disciplinary hearing and there is a strong possibility he will lose his job."
Only a 'strong possibility'?

You really, really couldn't make it up....

9 comments:

manwiddicombe said...

To declare that he will lose his job would be seen as prejudicial to his disciplinary hearing. That would lead to a claim for wrongful dismissal.. .. ..

Pavlov's Cat said...

It's a misnomer to call these people Traffic Wardens. Traffic Wardens, the old hated Yellow Hats, were civilian staff employed by a police authority, their primary role was 'to keep the traffic moving' they could direct traffic at lights failures and the threat of a ticket was normally enough to get someone to 'move your bloody car'. They were not revenue gathering oiks and as they worked directly for the Police I assume were properly CRB checked.
What we have these days are Parking Revenue Attendants , Parking Enforcement Officer. Normally working for a private company contracted by a local council, to bring in as much revenue as possible and bollocks to 'keeping the traffic moving'

So yes I can see how someone with a conviction for theft can become a Parking Attendant, but probably he would never have been a Traffic Warden.

Pavlov's Cat said...

as an additon two locals examples of how 'keeping the traffic moving ' is no longer the remit

BEXLEY: Drivers complain about Smart Car CCTV tactics

BROMLEY: Council slams parking ticket target claims

Stan said...

"He can't recall striking the blow but accepts that he did"

He can't remember hitting someone? Was he drunk as well? Either that, or he makes such a habit of hitting people he can't remember individual instances - which would be a bit of a worry.

JuliaM said...

"To declare that he will lose his job would be seen as prejudicial to his disciplinary hearing. That would lead to a claim for wrongful dismissal.."

Really? Good point.

"What we have these days are Parking Revenue Attendants , Parking Enforcement Officer. "

And as with all other devolved authorities, what you get is what you are prepared to pay for, no doubt..

And our local council has one of those SMART cars. It's become a bit of a competition to see who can photograph it illegally parked and send the snap in to the local paper!

"He can't remember hitting someone? Was he drunk as well? Either that, or he makes such a habit of hitting people he can't remember individual instances - which would be a bit of a worry."

Indeed.

Though I suspect that was a bit of legalese so they could claim an insanity defence if they thought they could get it past the mags!

Don't know why they bothered, when the punishment is so pointless...

A Nation Of Shopkeepers said...

"He can't recall striking the blow but accepts that he did"

Is this known as the 'Gerrard' defence? ;-)

JuliaM said...

Hah! Yes, indeed.

I see the chap in that case is looking to bring a private prosecution. That'll be interesting to watch...

Bill Sticker said...

Tsk! They just take anyone nowadays.

JuliaM said...

"Tsk! They just take anyone nowadays."

:D