Wednesday 2 September 2009

"This means I can’t go on holiday to Butlins."

Michelle Austin, 43, had kicked a hospital security guard when he tried to restrain her drunken son.

She admitted assault and threatening behaviour and was given a suspended jail sentence and ordered to remain indoors from 7pm to 7am for 10 weeks.
You might think she got off lightly. Very lightly.

But she didn't think so:
But she left District Judge Alan Berg almost lost for words when she accused him of wrecking her family holiday.

She claimed: “We paid £700 for a week at Butlins in Minehead but the family can’t go now because I’m the group leader.

“The holiday firm won’t change the booking or give me the money back.”
On the other hand, Butlins' staff are no doubt cracking open bottles of champagne at hearing this news...

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope Mr Justice Berg further spoiled her holiday by gaoling her for contempt.

Brian, follower of Deornoth

Pavlov's Cat said...

I like the way that she is well aware of our sliding scale of justice.

She added: “If it had been a security guard at a shop I would have just been fined.”

This may well be true, but it doesn't make it right or indeed just.

IMHO Assault should always end in a custodial sentence if found guilty.

Blognor Regis said...

"hospital security guard" Three little words which say so much.

woman on a raft said...

There are people who regard two weeks at Butlin's as a custodial sentence. They have fences, security gates and patroling 'red coats'.

You might argue that some of the adverse reviews come from people like Michelle Austin who have unreasonable expectations, but it's hard to ignore accounts like the one from the plumber/builder who explained exactly why the chalet smelled of sewage - at which point Butlins suddenly decided it might be better not to make up stupid stories about wet carpets.

He wrote:

It is a shame about the accomodation as we found the entertainment fantastic, and we an the kids loved it. When we got home we discovered we had got worms and had to take some medication! yelch!

Note to Judge Alan Berg: reading the reviews, it would serve Butlins and Ms Austin right if she was made to go there rather than being excused.

It ought to be possible to tag her in the evenings to make sure she has to stay in the carvan rather than join in with the fights which appear to break out regularly.

As one reviewer put it:

Activities: I really enjoyed seeing the NOW LEAVING MINEHEAD sign.

Anonymous said...

There will always be those who get a kick out of hospital visits and Butlin holidays.

What an injustice for a serious betting family, who stand to lose a windfall now that the old bat is no longer in a position to win the Gangrenous Granny Contest for the third consecutive year.

JuliaM said...

"I hope Mr Justice Berg further spoiled her holiday by gaoling her for contempt."

I'm beginning to wonder just what you DO get sent down for, these days...

"I like the way that she is well aware of our sliding scale of justice. "

Yes, she's obviously pretty familiar with court situations.

""hospital security guard" Three little words which say so much."

Indeed...

"It ought to be possible to tag her in the evenings to make sure she has to stay in the carvan rather than join in with the fights which appear to break out regularly."

One of those tehther chains they use for huskies might ssuffice just as well...

"What an injustice for a serious betting family, who stand to lose a windfall now that the old bat is no longer in a position to win the Gangrenous Granny Contest for the third consecutive year."

Heh!

blueknight said...

Casualty on a Friday or Saturday night has to be seen to be believed...

JuliaM said...

I bet! One reason I hope I'm never taken ill on a day that isn't a weekday...