Articles | Silver skater won't hang up wheels

Silver skater won't hang up wheels

Published: Tuesday, 24 February 2009, 4:33PM

An elderly rollerblader has refused to give up skating after being found guilty of endangering the public by whizzing through a busy town.

Geoff Dornan, 71, of Normanhurst, Ormskirk, was accused by Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council of two counts of breaking a council bylaw by skating in Southport's Chapel Street.

The father-of-three was accused at North Sefton Magistrates' Court of skating, sliding or riding on footpaths in "such a manner as to cause danger or give reasonable grounds for annoyance" to pedestrians.

Dornan, who has been skating for more than seven years, denied breaking the bylaw and told the court he had a "code of practice" which meant pedestrians always had an "unconditional" right of way.

The retired youth worker also told the court he tried to give people as much space as possible and used his rollerblades responsibly. But chairman of the bench Fraser Wallace said: "We find the manner of your skating put pedestrians at risk and exposed them to harm."

Mr Wallace said it was clear Chapel Street was not meant to be used as a "skate park" and said Dornan's behaviour "causes a danger" to the public.

A fine of £300 and costs of £1,792 were "suspended" by Mr Wallace after Andrew Scott, defending, said an appeal notice had been handed to the prosecution. The appeal case will be heard at a crown court at a later date.

Dornan, who said he skates for the health benefits, spoke outside court and said: "I'm deeply disappointed but I accept the verdicts. Having said that I intend to appeal. In seven-and-a-half years I have not harmed anyone at all."

He told reporters he was "fully aware" that people in the street do unexpected things and change direction suddenly.

Dornan said: "Because I am on skates I'm more manoeuvrable than somebody in shoes. The last time I was bumped into by somebody else I was in shoes. I'm not saying things can't go wrong. I don't accept this premise that skating is inherently dangerous."

He said he would not be giving up skating.

Rachael Disley, 27, and her mother Helen, 53, who had been in court to support Mr Dornan said they were "disappointed" with the outcome.

Ms Disley, who runs Superfunk Roller Disco in Preston, Lancashire, said: "With regards to his skating, I have witnessed him a number of times at our own roller disco events and in city centres and he always does take care to avoid pedestrians and he will slow down if he sees an old lady.

"But I can understand it from a pedestrian's point of view. If you see someone coming at you on roller skates at speed you would have cause for concern. But as long as Geoffrey is safe I think he should keep doing it."