Page 24
Call Sign February 2012
Another batch of views from Tom that do not necessarily reflect the views of DaC...
THE WORLD ACCORDING TO TOM WHITBREAD
Right M'lud!
A Christmas to
The warder slammed the prison van doors shut
remember?
and three fraudsters went on their way to
Due to the recession, a lot of families did not
begin a total of 6 years in prison at Her
venture far from home over the Christmas peri-
Majesty's pleasure at least that's before Ken
od and instead relied on television for enter-
Clarke halves their sentence for what he deems
tainment. Like my family, they would have been
is good behaviour!
badly let down by the programme suppliers.
If you read the December issue of Call Sign,
The number of repeats made me think I was
you will remember that I had been forced to
watching a continual loop of All Our
serve on a jury for a seven week trial at Wood
Yesterdays; why did I have a colour TV when so
Green Crown Court. I was treated during this
many programmes were in black and white! We
time to the most boring weeks of my life, fight-
were subjected to real sub- standard pro-
ing to keep my eyes open while three packed
grammes put out by both the BBC and ITV.
arch-lever files were read over and over again.
If I were to select the most embarrassing pro-
The other nine courts saw cases of rioting
gramme, it would be The Royal Bodyguard
thieves from the summer's unrest in Tottenham
with David Jason. How could one of our most
tor for 8 years. The third defendant, about 30
and Hackney, a stabbing and a murder. I on the
respected actors lower his standards to appear
years old, received 18 months jail and was dis-
other hand had a fraud case that involved some
in what I would say was no better than a chil-
qualified for 2 years. The fourth defendant, a
£3.5million involving a used car-selling internet
dren's episode of the Chuckle Brothers! To see
young man in his 20s, got 4 months jail sus-
website.
Sir David trying to portray a bodyguard when
pended for 2 years and a two year directorship
The case needed a Judge, CPS lawyers,
he is shorter and older than me was cringe-
disqualification, but with interference from that
defence lawyers and 12 jurors; this was also
worthy. His running was on a par to entering
buffoon, the Secretary of State for Justice
aided by a court usher and another court offi-
our milkman's horse in the Grand National and
Kenneth Clarke, these people will most proba-
the script was as childish as TV's Rainbow with
cial. Witnesses were transported from Essex,
bly be back on the street in half that time. I think
Geoffrey, Bungle, Zippy and George!
Coventry, Leicester, Cornwall and various parts
I only hope the BBC does not produce such
Mr Clarke has a serious personal problem and
of Wales and London. In my estimation, the case
rubbish again at the expense of the TV licence
should have been replaced many months ago for
must have involved over a £1million in costs
payer. Even though it was shown at a time
the betterment of the British taxpayer, but our
during those seven weeks.
when many people were at home, it achieved
amoeba Members of Parliament with no back-
Although the trial finished in November
less than 3 million viewers. But then if it is not
bone think that by getting rid of him, they will
2011, the defendants were allowed home over
the TV company's personal money, why would
lose face.
Christmas and not sentenced until 6 January at
they care? It may be a time to think of doing
It's due to this attitude by our elected MPs
4pm. I think the Judge, who over those seven
away with the television licence and let the
that caused such an increase in murders, shoot-
weeks I came to admire for the speed at which
BBC compete against ITV and Sky for advertis-
ings, stabbings and rapes since 1 January 2012.
he accessed questions and answers, was
ing revenue.
It also goes to show that the PC and human
remarkable. He was of Polish origin which
May I belatedly take this opportunity to wish
rights campaigners that everyone used to say
made me proud as some of my grandparents
you all a healthy and profitable coming year...
we had to listen to, got it so wrong.They were
also originated from there.
the main reason for losing the title of Great
In sentencing I think he got it correct; the
Tom Whitbread
Britain and are now known as United
first young man for defrauding customers and
DaC Board member
Kingdom.
transferring criminal property (money), plus
using misleading actions as a director got 30
months in jail and was disqualified from being
a director for 8 years. The second defendant, a
The Magicians?
middle aged man on the same charges, received
2 years and was disqualified from being a direc-
EARLY TREATMENT MEANS SPEEDY RECOVERY
Not so magical...
Treatment for pain & discomfort doesn't have to be expensive
We've had com-
plaints from sev-
The Centre offers fully qualified therapists in Physiotherapy,
eral Dial-a-Cab
drivers about the
Osteopathy, Sports Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Remedial Massage,
same thing and
Indian Head Massage, Hydrotherm, Massage Therapy, Acupuncture
asked to warn
and Chinese Medicine.
others. They all
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program, The Magicians, which involves magi-
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cians completing some amazing tricks and illu-
or mobile 07973 639 473 for an early appointment
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Email: andy@bptconline.co.uk or fax: 020 8507 9650
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Out of hours enquiries welcome
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So the warning is that if you get tickets for the
90 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex, IG11 8SF
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Opening Hours: Monday Friday 9am till 8pm and Saturday 9am till 2pm
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www.bptconline.co.uk
in! So be warned...
