AddThis SmartLayers

Judge backs news staff in assault claim hearing

The Cambs Times has successfully fended off a claim for damages after a partially sighted man claimed to have been assaulted by news staff.

John Hammond, who has a guide dog, alleged he was assaulted and abused by news editor John Elworthy after refusing to leave the newspaper’s office.

But after an all-day hearing at Peterborough County Court, District Judge Taylor said he was satisfied there had been no such incident – and said both John Elworthy and editor Brian Asplin had acted honourably on the day police were called to eject Mr Hammond.

  • John Hammond
  • Mr Hammond, of Queen Street, March, told the court he went to the Cambs Times’ reception on Friday, January 13, to seek an apology regarding an earlier incident.

    He claimed John Elworthy opened a door from the reporters’ room, and the door bumped into his chest.

    But he added: “I can excuse that; it could happen to anyone.”

    He further alleged that the news editor had “chested” him, pushing against him, and used abusive language. He also claimed Mr Elworthy said he was “just a joke” telling him: “I would like to get you down the pub with my mates where I drink.”

    Mr Hammond told the judge: “He was degrading me in front of the people there. The worst sort of assault was the verbal assault in reference to my disability. To be called a joke in front of people is worse than if someone physically assaulted me.”

    When cross-examined by solicitor Steve McGregor, Mr Hammond was reminded that he had not mentioned the “chesting” incident in a statement to the police just a couple of hours after the alleged incident.

    John, (right), said there had been no physical contact between him and Mr Hammond, and denied any abuse or making threats.

    He said: “I did ask him to leave firmly. He was in no doubt about my request for him to leave. I was very much showing him the door.”

    Editor Brian Asplin said he saw no assault and heard no disparaging remarks. He called the police because Mr Hammond refused to leave, after being asked to go several times.

  • Brian Asplin
  • He told the court: “His attitude was such that work was being disrupted and I had concerns for staff safety.”

    Judge Taylor praised the newspaper staff, saying: “They dealt with the incident in a calm manner, and when they realised they could not deal with it themselves, they called in the police.

    “Mr Hammond says two experienced and respected individuals behaved like complete fools. They have told me what happened and I accept their evidence. Why would they have acted otherwise?

    “For an editor and assistant editor to behave in the way alleged would have opened them up to the severest criticism.”

    He added that he had tried to understand Mr Hammond’s feelings of frustration and vulnerability, but added: “He has allowed an upsetting incident to grow in his mind.”

    Mr Hammond was applying for an apology, damages and costs. Ordering him to pay £5,000 towards the company’s legal expenses, the judge said: “He did not leave the office when asked, and became a trespasser because he remained. He had been asked to leave and should have complied with that.”