Social media reporting and comments, can be extremely damaging to a business, and an individual, especially if all the facts, are not known to those making such comments.
In 2009 I faced a prosecution under the animal welfare act, brought not by the RSPCA but by the vale of glamorgan council. This action was strangely taken after I had made two formal complaints against a council licensing officer, Amanda Ewington Gape.
I entered not guilty pleas to all summonses. Unfortunately I was then repeatedly poorly advised by my solicitor, Michael Morgan of Vale Solicitors, Llantwit Major, to change some of my pleas to guilty, and plea bargain on the others. Recovering from a breakdown, I eventually, very reluctantly had no option, but to take his professional advice.
Contemporaneous notes taken by the council vet, who was present at my home for the whole five hours, in which the same licensing officer (whom I had made the complaints against) searched my home, were never disclosed to me. The prosecution (the council) had a duty in criminal law to disclose these notes, they never did. Michael Morgan also never asked for these notes. I was not aware of this non compliance until sometime after my case had been concluded in the Magistrates court. I was then shown an email from solicitors representing the council employed vet, in which it states:
‘Mr Crosby has made repeated requests to see these notes. These notes must not be disclosed to Mr Crosby under any circumstances.’
I knew full well, what had been recorded in the contemporaneous notes, during the five hour search of my home, was completely different to what the council vet Mark Evans, then wrote in his report against me five weeks later. Had the council not had this veterinary report then the council would never have been able to prosecute me. I had always cared for all animals, under my control, to the highest of standards over the previous twenty odd years.
The incomplete reporting of this case, and the fact I subsequently felt left with no option, but to change some pleas to guilty, have ever since impacted upon my everyday businesses and personal life.
I was unaware until receiving written Barrister advice on 12th January 2023, that J A Hughes Solicitors, of Barry in the vale of glamorgan, (who were employed to deal with my appeal) had taken my appeal to the wrong court.
The Barristers Advice is very clear, the case should have been taken back to the Magistrate’s court, where an application to vacate the guilty pleas, should have been made, and a date for a trial would have been set down. There has never been a trial in my case.The failure of J A Hughes (now trading as quality Solicitors) to act within the law, is irreparable, and I will have to live with this conviction for the rest of my life.
There is now in process, a substantial claim against J A Hughes. Their professional indemnity insurers, have employed lawyers RPC of Bristol, who have until 30th June 2023, to either admit my claim, deny the claim, or settle my claim without making any admission of guilt. Should it prove necessary for me to issue a claim at the Kings bench, at the High Court, RPC have been advised, that my claim will be for a considerably higher amount.
This is a case, where the continued resurfacing, on social media about this case, and the loss of business I continue to suffer, where those commenting, do not understand, or do not wish to understand the facts, can now greatly enhance my chances, of a successful out come to my substantial claim.
There will soon be a YouTube video on my Channel, about this case called The Truth of The Lie.
Involved in this case are:
Licensing Officer Amanda Ewington Gape (whom I had registered two formal complaints against, and who then illegally obtained a warrant to enter my home, and executed it).
Mark Evans Valley Vets Cardiff (the vale of glamorgan council vet). www.valleyvets.net
Michael Morgan of Vale Solicitors, Llantwit Major. (Mr Morgan was the solicitor who failed to request disclosure of ‘contemporaneous notes’ taken by both Amanda Ewington Gape, and Mark Evans). This resulted in Mr Morgan advising me on numerous occasions to change some of my pleas to guilty. www.valesolicitors.com
J A Hughes solicitors of Barry (now called Quality Solicitors). They were employed to represent me in my appeal against conviction. According to Barristers advice dated 12th January 2023, J A Hughes should have taken my case back to the Magistrates court, made application to vacate my pleas, and a trial date would then have been set. Most importantly the reason for referral back to the Magistrate’s court, in my case, was because clearly, my guilty pleas were ‘equivocal.’ www.qualitysolicitors.com
RPC Solicitors. Have been instructed by the Professional Indemnity Insurers acting for J A Hughes (Quality solicitors). www.rpc.co.uk