Boater cleared of affray

Published: Saturday, 28 September 2013
A BOATER moored on the Droitwich Canal has been cleared by a Court of affray with a cyclist.

Boater Paul Vale, had been chopping wood when cyclist Dean Morris approached, but the cyclist seeing the axe in his hand stopped, with his partner ringing the police, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Cleared

The outcome was a two days Court case at Worcester Crown Court where Paul Vale was cleared of affray.

The cyclist told the Court that the boater was stood in the middle of the towpath so he had to stop, and has he had a axe and walking towards him, his partner called the police.

Special licence

The cyclist also told the Court that he had a special licence from British Waterways to cycle along towpaths...

However the boater, whose boat was moored near the Bridge Inn in Droitwich told the Court he was amazed at their attitudes as he had not even left his boat.

The jury found Paul Vale not guilty.