Jacob Williams https://jacobwilliams.com

The Pembrokeshire public has come out in strong support for Anna Ryder-Richardson and her business, Manor House Wildlife Park in the wake of a recent prosecution for breaches of health and safety.

Pembrokeshire County Council has come under considerable criticism for the case, though it isn’t as straight-forward as meets the eye.

There are many instances where the council could – and should – prosecute members of the public and businesses for intentional breaches of a legal nature, but don’t.

There can be little doubt that a strong example has been made of Anna Ryder-Richardson and her company by the council and the court.

By noting this observation I don’t advocate non-prosecution for breaches of the law – but it really is an option the council chooses frequently.

There appears to have been no suggestion that the injuries suffered by the boy and the mother by the freak occurrence of the falling tree in 2010 are attributable to, what were, lapses in paperwork.

I’m sure a strong argument could be made that the authorities could have both satisfied their remits and protected the public by ensuring that such records were kept in order in future.

The resources used by the council in this prosecution were considerable, whilst elsewhere in the county, in effect, a blind eye is turned to intentional disregard for the law.

I attempted to question the council’s intentions and priorities on planning enforcement (which is one of many areas such as health and safety, where the council has statutory powers) but time wasn’t on my side – however it’s not something that can be swept under the carpet.

The costly sentence which will set the firm back over £100,000 was delivered on Thursday 22nd November. The following Wednesday, PCC posted a statement on its Facebook page giving its side of the story.

I guess the move was an attempt to divert the public’s visceral negativity to the prosecution away from the council, and toward the court. It can be read by any internet user (regardless of whether they are signed up to Facebook) at this link.

For those who don’t care to read the statement, it can be paraphrased:

“Decisions to prosecute are never taken lightly, we felt this was in the public interest, the prosecution is unrelated to the freak accident/act of god, we didn’t set the fine – the courts did.”

Whoever approved this statement may do well to look up the ‘Streisand effect,’ which describes a scenario where an action inadvertently ends up creating greater publicity than it was intended to dispel.

It was coined following a 2003 legal farce involving the famous singer and actress Barbara Streisand. A photographer published an online album of Californian coastal properties. Streisand’s Malibu beach house was included in the collection, and she sued for £50 Million and the removal of the photograph.

Her lawsuit was unsuccessful and the subsequent publicity she created far outweighed any harm that would have resulted to her privacy from the photograph’s online publication.

The council’s Facebook statement immediately caught the public’s attention, so far attracting over 70 comments. Some constructive, some not, but all with a common thread: a lack of understanding of the council’s actions, and a negative tone:

“You prop up seriously failing businesses like bluestone and persecute successful businesses like Manor house. What about all the trees that fell in the high winds last week, was the council reported to health and safety for that?” – Catherine Fortune

“‘careful consideration is given to whether any prosecution would be in the public interest’ taken from the fourth paragraph of the PCC press release. So could somebody explain to me what this public interest is? Were we all baying for blood from someone who has invested 100s of thousands of pounds into something that has given joy to millions of people who have and still do visit the park, does it help the staff who are employed by the park? No!” – Steve Blunsden

“So would the council say it was a wise move to post this on Facebook? You utter morons. Whilst we are at it let’s talk about the completely ridiculous resident parking scheme. Democracy is dead in Pembrokeshire.” – Marc Davies

“It was obviously council policy to take it to court and nothing to do with who owns the park and the publicity it would give the council prosecuting a well known name off the telly. Would they take the same action with less publicity, I’m not so sure. It was an ACCIDENT!!!!” – Simon Wood

“Pitiful to see the council’s idea of supporting local businesses is to have them fined £100K. “After the sentencing, Pembrokeshire County Council welcomed the outcome and said it vindicated its decision to prosecute.” Congratulating themselves on a job well done!” – Frank Whittle

“In whose interest were you acting PCC? And how much did this trial cost? And who is paying your bill? You should be cherishing attractions like Manor House Wildlife Park not seeking to destroy them. You’ve shot yourselves in the foot here. Shame on you.” – Lucy Black

“I wonder if the council could explain why they pursued a prosecution against Manor House Wildlife Park after a tree fell (which I believe the court agreed could not have been predicted or prevented) when they had previously reviewed and approved the park’s safety policies and tree management programme during the course of the park’s previous zoo licensing inspections which they are obliged by central government to undertake?

Can they also confirm whether or not they will be pursuing legal action against all landowners, including themselves who have had trees fall in the recent poor weather, and on what basis they will be selecting their prosecutions?” – Jake Veasey

Facebook has also been used by supporters to organise a rally for the public to show their support for Anna Ryder-Richardson, her family, and her business.

It’s on Saturday, 15th December, at Manor House Wildlife Park, starting at 10am. The Western Telegraph reports that hundreds are expected to turn out.

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Pembrokeshire’s Best just got better

Most of you are probably aware of the publication Pembrokeshire’s Best. By now, many of you will also have had the December copy delivered directly to your door.

Compared to previous editions, you may think this month’s seems much improved. You may even believe that it is finally in the enviable position of living up to its name, particularly around twenty pages in.

An editorial on page nine, ‘A tragic accident and a success story‘ relates to the Manor House prosecution. Written immediately pre-sentencing, the magazine says: “We hope that the justice dispensed by the Court is both proportionate to the lapse, compassionate, and permits the park to continue its good work.”

As it is, the fine imposed was an exceptionally large one, and so the public seems to disagree with the proportionality of the “justice dispensed by the court.”

A financial hit like this could not only jeopardise the attraction’s longevity, but even its short-term future, so only time will tell if the park can “continue its good work.”

As the council is keen to stress, the defendant pleaded guilty and the judge determined the fine.

It’s too early to know if it will be appealed, however Anna Ryder-Richardson has confirmed to the media that three formal complaints have been lodged with the council over its conduct.