In Oxford, Deputy Circuit Judge Patrick Eccles (pictured above) delivered a suspended sentence to English finance manager Michael Chase-Sarver for perverting the course of justice after dodging a speeding fine by deceiving authorities.
Chase-Sarver and business partner Noel Shortt have plans to open a billion-Euro wind farm in Carrickaduff which could potentially create 300 jobs by December 2017.
Despite Judge Eccles’ belief that Chase-Sarver deserves to spend time behind bars, he delivered a suspended sentence as he did not want to jeopardize the opening of the wind farm as it would ruin job prospects for 300 ‘honest’ workers.
Chase-Sarver repainted his car after being caught speeding, asking mechanics to backdate the job to seem as though it had always been that colour and then claimed that someone else had been using his number plate fraudulently.
‘This is Oxfordshire’ reported that although Judge Eccles believes he ‘deserved’ to go to jail, he spared him the time behind bars following evidence given from Irish engineer and property developer Noel Shortt that Chase-Sarver’s stint in jail would ‘sink’ their plans for a billion-euro 35,000 acre wind farm in Donegal which will create 300 jobs.
The 35,000 acre site was bought from more than 100 individual farmers.
The business men hope to have the wind farm running by December 2017 at the latest in order to cash in on a government subsidy, meaning turbines would have to be ordered this November.
Judge Eccles, clearly displeased by Chase-Sarver’s actions, called him “unbelievably dishonest”, however added that he could not “allow an honest man’s life and 300 potential jobs be ruined by his actions.”
A Facebook page which is supported by over 1,000 people was made by concerned locals in Donegal who opposed the plans for the wind farm. They are investigating the impact a wind farm may have on the local community from Castlefin, through the Finn Valley, Mourne Derg and on to Barnesmore Gap.
Chase-Sarver was sentenced to a four month stint behind bars, along with a two year suspended sentence. A curfew was also imposed upon him, meaning he will have to be at his home between the hours of 6pm and 6am every day.
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