F1: Gachot jailed!!!
Daniel Cohen
Bertrand Gachot, of the Jordan Formula 1 team, has been convicted
in a London court of assault causing actual bodily harm ( plus an
offensive weapon possesion charge ) and has been sentenced to
18 months in prison ( with 6 months to run concurrently for the
possesion charge ). The Jordan team issued a statement saying that
an appeal had been launched and that they hoped Gachot would play
a part in their future.
The charges concerned an incident in which Gachot sprayed CS gas
at a London taxi-driver after their cars touched at a busy London
corner. Gachot said that he thought that carrying the CS gas
cannister was legal since it's legal in France ( but apparently
he was mistaken - it's illegal in France too ).
What an a***hole! Even if he thought that possesion of the
cannister was legal he must surely have realised that using it in
public would lead to serious charges? The report in
the Daily Telegraph mentions that as he was lead away to the
cells he murmured "...for nothing". Does he really think he did
"nothing" worth imprisonment? This isn't LA......
--
Daniel Cohen Department of Computer Science
Email: d...@dcs.qmw.ac.uk Queen Mary and Westfield College
Tel: +44 71 975 5245/4/9 Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
Fax: +44 81 980 6533 *** Glory, Glory, Hallelujah ***
jeffrey_stuit
>
>Bertrand Gachot, of the Jordan Formula 1 team, has been convicted
>in a London court of assault causing actual bodily harm ( plus an
>offensive weapon possesion charge ) and has been sentenced to
>18 months in prison ( with 6 months to run concurrently for the
>possesion charge ). The Jordan team issued a statement saying that
>an appeal had been launched and that they hoped Gachot would play
>a part in their future.
>
>The charges concerned an incident in which Gachot sprayed CS gas
>at a London taxi-driver after their cars touched at a busy London
>corner. Gachot said that he thought that carrying the CS gas
>cannister was legal since it's legal in France ( but apparently
>he was mistaken - it's illegal in France too ).
>
>What an a***hole! Even if he thought that possesion of the
>cannister was legal he must surely have realised that using it in
>public would lead to serious charges? The report in
>the Daily Telegraph mentions that as he was lead away to the
>cells he murmured "...for nothing". Does he really think he did
>"nothing" worth imprisonment? This isn't LA......
>
Willl Gachot be free pending his appeal? In the US, he would probably have
been able to get some kind of deal to serve his sentence in the off season.
(of course, in the US, he probably would have recieved a *much* lighter
sentence.)
Kevin Quinlan
>In article <dc.682347371@guinness> d...@dcs.qmw.ac.uk (Daniel Cohen) writes:
>>corner. Gachot said that he thought that carrying the CS gas
>>cannister was legal since it's legal in France ( but apparently
>>he was mistaken - it's illegal in France too ).
I thought I read that "France" was mentioned at the trial too, this
seems a bit odd as Gachot is Belgian, which makes it particularly sad
that he has been imprisoned just before his home GP.
In article <1991Aug16.1...@terminator.cc.umich.edu> Jeffrey Stuit writes:
>What's CS gas? I'm assuming it's similar to mace, or something like that.
Yes I believe that "Mace" and "CS" gas are the same thing. What do
Americans call the gas that is used in the states by officialdom for riot
control etc? - we call that CS gas.
>Willl Gachot be free pending his appeal? In the US, he would probably have
>been able to get some kind of deal to serve his sentence in the off season.
>(of course, in the US, he probably would have recieved a *much* lighter
>sentence.)
No Gachot has not been freed pending appeal, and yes the sentence is
very heavy. Compare it to a case that finished yesterday, where a
(fox) huntmaster was found guilty of the same offence (causing actual
bodily harm) for riding down a hunt saboteur (ie anti fox hunting
demonstrator) - he was given a 2 month suspended sentence.
I also wonder what Belgian public opinion will be. Belgium was
scrupulously fair with the British "football fans" who rioted at the
Heysel Stadium causing the death of many innocent victims, whereas our
judiciary seemed determined to make an example of Gachot. If I had
more faith in our judicial system, I might believe that the fact that
Gachot is not British had nothing to do with the sentence.
Kevin Quinlan
--
(Kevin Quinlan)
kqui...@cvedg.Prime.COM
kqui...@uk.co.cv.edg
mccu...@alien.enet.dec.com
The following is reposted with permission from our Digital internal notes
conference RACERS.NOTE. (FWIW, the author, Erik, is Bertrand's cousin.)
-< Racers and Racing >-
================================================================================
Note 879.0 GACHOT, WHY? - I want to Contribute No replies
xxxxxx::GACHOT 106 lines 29-AUG-1991 10:56
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For your information, Your support to Bertrand is Welcome.
Erik.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Condemned for a situation of legitimate defense :
BERTRAND GACHOT - A VICTIM OF ARBITRARY JUSTICE ?
At present incarcerated in Brixton Prison (London), Bertrand Gachot did not
participate in the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Belgium. The European driver was
condemned to 18 months imprisonment for having defended himself, with a tear
gas spray, against aggression by a London taxi driver.
The incident happened on the 10th December 1990 in London. Bertrand Gachot was
driving his fiancee Kate Palmers' car to the official Jordan presentation by
7-Up. A taxi and Gachot arrived at Hyde Park Corner at the same time. The two
drivers argued over their right of way and Gachot was unable to avoid hitting
the taxi (no damage ensued). Until that time it was not more than a banal
traffic incident. Could it not happen to anyone of us ?
Bertrand remained behind the wheel. Eric Court, the driver of the taxi, got out
of his vehicle. Bertrand tried to keep the situation calm but Mr Court paid no
attention. He opened the door of Bertrand's car and grabbed him by the tie,
threatening him with his clenched fist, In reaction, Gachot used a spray.
Shaken by his aggressor, he sprayed himself first, It was the first time he had
ever used spray, He then sprayed Mr Court, Given the choice of a punch or a
spray what would you do ? The effects of a spray disappear after a few
minutes. On the other hand a black eye or a broken nose cause more damage.
"I am adamant" declared kate Palmer, "there was never any aggression on the
part of Bertrand. It was an act of self defense. You must believe in Bertrand's
good will". Only three witnesses were heard, They all confirmed that Mr Court
got out of his vehicle and went towards the car that had hit him. Kate Palmer
has already appealed and will appeal again for all those who witnessed the
incident to come forward and testify. In a declaration to the Daily Mirror on
the 16th August, Mr Court showed amazement at the sentence; he had only wanted
to be reimbursed for his soiled clothes and business lost during the period of
the incident.
After havind neutralized Mr Court, Bertrand went into a nearby building to
splash water on himself and to immerse the spray to stop its action. At that
time he had no idea that an object such as this was forbidden in England. He
never had any previous convictions. In december, he was convinced he was in the
right. Since then, he has had to appear several times in court, On the 15th of
August last sentence was passed, Bertrand was present (instead of being at the
Monza free trials). He pleaded Not Guilty, The judge, Mr Gerald Butler,
declared that "the use of a CS Gas Spray in the face of a man who, I am
convinced, showed the minimum amout of aggression towards your person,
obliges me to pass a prison sentence with immediate effect". Lasting 18 months,
18 months for aggression on a public thoroughfare and 6 months for the
possession of a spray, the said 6 months being included in the first penalty,
The Court immediatelty issued a communique to the press agencies.
Gachot was taken to Brixton Prison in the south of London. Brixton is one of
the most decrepit prisons of the United Kingdom, He is in a 10m2 room, without
a telephone, without a television and without newspapers, He is allowed a
visit from relatives once every 14 days for 30 minutes.
Those close to Bertrand Gachot, namely his fiancee, Kate Paslmer, his father,
Rodolphe Gachot, his Belgian lawyer, Jean-Marc Goossens and the
Belgian-Norwegian driver, Harald Huysman, a close friend, have initiated
various proceedings starting by reorganizing his defense. His lawyers
proceeding with the case are Swycher & Co (Solicitors) and Gilbert Gray
(Barrister, Queens' Counsellor).
A reequest for release with bail was considered. The request was rejected.
Gachot must remain in prison, A request for an appeal judgment has been set for
September 19th. It is by no menans certain that this request will mean the
release of the driver, Gachot could still remain in prison, for having
defended himself against aggression with only a spray. It is already certain
that Bertrand Gachot missed his Belgian Granc Prix, He will also miss the
Grand Prix of Italy and Protugal, Indeed will he be able to take part in any
other Grand Prix this season ? Has the career of this young hope been broken ?
In Belgium, thousands of sympathizers, disgusted with the arbitrary sentence
passed on Bertrand Gachot, have demonstrated on his behalf. A non-profit
association "Gachot, Why?" has been created to undertake further action to
ensure a favourable future for Bertrand and, more especally to enable him to
take his place in the 1992 Formula 1 Championship. "Gachot, Why ASBL" will
avoid all aggressive action.
The association is organizing a large demonstration that will take place on
Tuesday 10th September at 12h30 from the European Communicty buildings to the
British Embassy. "I am overwhelmed with the fantastic support that Bertrand has
received during the past ten days", says Kate Palmer. "It is very important
and I thank all those who have taken part from the bottom of my heart. We are
going through a very trying time, but it is marvellous to know that so many are
aware of what has happened to Bertrand".
By the way, Bertrand Gachot can receive letters and telegrams. His address is:
---------
Bertrand GACHOT
HMP NORTHEYE
BARNHORN ROAD
BEXHILL ON SEA
EAST SUSSEX
TN39 4 QN GRANDE-BRETAGNE
< United Kingdom might work better from the US than GRANDE-BRETAGNE >
For more information please contact : Christophe Koninckx
"Gachot, Why ?asbl"
B.P.B 520
1000 Brussels 1
Richard Avis
In article <26...@kdb.lkg.dec.com>, mccu...@alien.enet.dec.com writes:
|>
|> The following is reposted with permission from our Digital internal notes
|> conference RACERS.NOTE. (FWIW, the author, Erik, is Bertrand's cousin.)
|>
|> -< Racers and Racing >-
|> ================================================================================
|> Note 879.0 GACHOT, WHY? - I want to Contribute No replies
|> xxxxxx::GACHOT 106 lines 29-AUG-1991 10:56
|> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|>
|> Condemned for a situation of legitimate defense :
|>
|> BERTRAND GACHOT - A VICTIM OF ARBITRARY JUSTICE ?
|>
|>
|> After havind neutralized Mr Court, Bertrand went into a nearby building to
|> splash water on himself and to immerse the spray to stop its action. At that
|> time he had no idea that an object such as this was forbidden in England. He
|> never had any previous convictions. In december, he was convinced he was in the
|> right. Since then, he has had to appear several times in court, On the 15th of
|> August last sentence was passed, Bertrand was present (instead of being at the
|> Monza free trials). He pleaded Not Guilty, The judge, Mr Gerald Butler,
|> declared that "the use of a CS Gas Spray in the face of a man who, I am
|> convinced, showed the minimum amout of aggression towards your person,
|> obliges me to pass a prison sentence with immediate effect". Lasting 18 months,
|> 18 months for aggression on a public thoroughfare and 6 months for the
|> possession of a spray, the said 6 months being included in the first penalty,
|> The Court immediatelty issued a communique to the press agencies.
This is not correct!
Gachot was convicted of a prima facae charge of grievous bodily harm using a noxious substance.
Under english law this is as serious as wounding someone with a shotgun.
Most cases of CS(mace) use result in a custodial sentence in England, most notably those concerning
football hooligans.
It is also worth noting that ignorance is not a defence - it isn't in many countries.
|>
|> Gachot was taken to Brixton Prison in the south of London. Brixton is one of
|> the most decrepit prisons of the United Kingdom, He is in a 10m2 room, without
|> a telephone, without a television and without newspapers, He is allowed a
|> visit from relatives once every 14 days for 30 minutes.
|>
As is standard for all prisoners in Britain.
|>
|> In Belgium, thousands of sympathizers, disgusted with the arbitrary sentence
|> passed on Bertrand Gachot, have demonstrated on his behalf. A non-profit
|> association "Gachot, Why?" has been created to undertake further action to
|> ensure a favourable future for Bertrand and, more especally to enable him to
|> take his place in the 1992 Formula 1 Championship. "Gachot, Why ASBL" will
|> avoid all aggressive action.
|>
I think he will probably get a reduction on appeal, but overall his sentence is in line with other cases.
|> Bertrand GACHOT
|> HMP NORTHEYE
|> BARNHORN ROAD
|> BEXHILL ON SEA
|> EAST SUSSEX
|> TN39 4 QN GRANDE-BRETAGNE
|>
Note that this is actually a very pleasant low security prison, not Brixton!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Richard Avis (Mr. Forgettable)
EMail : ra...@axion.bt.co.uk
Mail : British Telecom Research Laboratories,
Martlesham Heath,
Ipswich,
Suffolk,
IP5 7RE.
"We had to destroy Ben Tre in order to save it." - Unknown U.S. Army Major
===========================================================================
Take a RISC...
>>Note that this is actually a very pleasant low security prison, not Brixton!
How can you say that a prison is very pleasant !!!!???
When this article was released Bertrand was in Brixton prison (which is
even more pleasent - It's the
`
Paradise).
>>This is not correct!
How can you say that ?
I know Bertrand very well, he is not a violent man, he just wanted to
defend himself.
Erik.
paul chapman
I am disgusted at the punishment received by Mr Gachot, it typifies
the British justice system. One case of which I have personal
experience involved a previously convicted criminal who was
prosecuted for a burglary, he asked for 117 other offences to
be taken into account! He received a 12 month sentence of which
6 months was suspended, he was free within 3 months. Part of the
rational was that he needed to keep his employment capability.
Mr B Gachot with his personal ties to the Jordan team is unlikely
to re-offend when under a suspended sentence. Which would be totally
appropriate in his case. If Mr Gachot's sentence was justice I'm
a Banana*
*This expression was used by the editor of Private Eye magazine
after another farcical episode in British Law.
How about a Banana demonstration in Brussells (pun) given there are
no plane crashes or coup's it should make News at 10.
Paul Chapman.
--
<<<<<<< >>>>>>
Richard Avis
In article <11...@suns6.crosfield.co.uk>, p...@crosfield.co.uk (paul chapman) writes:
|>
|> I am disgusted at the punishment received by Mr Gachot, it typifies
|> the British justice system. One case of which I have personal
|> experience involved a previously convicted criminal who was
|> prosecuted for a burglary, he asked for 117 other offences to
|> be taken into account! He received a 12 month sentence of which
|> 6 months was suspended, he was free within 3 months. Part of the
|> rational was that he needed to keep his employment capability.
|>
|> Mr B Gachot with his personal ties to the Jordan team is unlikely
|> to re-offend when under a suspended sentence. Which would be totally
|> appropriate in his case. If Mr Gachot's sentence was justice I'm
|> a Banana*
|>
Firstly, Gachot wasn't convicted of non-violent larceny but Grievous Bodily Harm. This nearly always
results in a jail sentence! For instance, there have been cases of CS being used against police by
football hooligans. They get jailed too.