Weather
WANSTEAD: 'Metric marytr' drops legal battle
3:27pm Friday 30th January 2009
WANSTEAD market trader Janet Devers has dropped an appeal against her conviction for selling fruit and veg in pounds and ounces.
Ms Devers was fined nearly £5,000 after being found guilty on eight counts of breaking the Weights and Measures Act in October last year.
She did vow to fight the conviction but today at midday Ms Devers announced she was pulling out because of ill health.
She is also worried if she loses the appeal she could be financially ruined.
The appeal had been scheduled for next week.
A "gutted" Ms Devers told the Guardian: "I just want to thank all your readers for all their support. I'm just sorry I have withdrawn but I just had to.
"I felt I couldn't go on because of all the stress and personal problems that have come from this.
"I just couldn't stand another two days in court.
"And if I’d have won it would have cost the taxpayer at least £20,000 or £30,000, so I feel I’ve done the honourable thing.
"I'm not a martyr I'm just someone taking a stand."
She added: "What I'm doing now is going on holiday to Barbados with my sister.
"When I come back it's going to be all over and done with, and Hackney Council will leave me alone."
A spokeswoman for the authority said: “Hackney Council is satisfied with this outcome.
"Ms Devers’ prosecution sent out a strong message about the importance of complying with current legislation that is designed to protect consumers.
"The prosecution of Ms Devers had come after a number of warnings about the need to comply with the law.”
It comes after Hackney Council dropped further charges against Ms Devers in December, which were due to be heard in front of a jury.
And an investigation is still underway by the authority into claims that its trading standards officers “deliberately targeted” Ms Devers and Woodford Green market trader Colin Hunt, while ignoring other traders who carried out similar practices.
More News stories
- Paedophile caged after being caught with child porn stash
- 'Unethical' council invests in tobacco companies
- Worst offenders get free Oyster cards and gym memberships
- London's best allotment found in Raynes Park
- Neighbours hailed as heroes for putting out fire
- Outdoor cafe on the menu for North Parade diner
Your Say YourLondon
Hogwasher, says...
12:40pm Sat 31 Jan 09
Touchwood, Walthamstow says...
3:14pm Sat 31 Jan 09
pithy writer, Camden town says...
11:14am Wed 25 Feb 09
I was brought up with pounds and ounces but now find metric easier - especially for comparing with supermarket prices. Also, I am a cook and all recipe books are now metric. I recently asked a market trader for 2 kg tomatoes to make soup. He became very moody and gave me 2 pounds - half the amount. I did not notice til home. This kind of thing drives people away from stallholders so it is in their interest to keep up with the times.
Your sayYour London
Add your comment
Register for a FREE This Is Local London account and you can have your say on today's news and sport by adding comments on articles we publish. The best comments may even get published in the paper.
Please register now or sign in below to continue.
Wanstead market trader Janet Devers.
Local Information
Enter your postcode, town or place name
Claridger, Walthamstow says...
5:16pm Fri 30 Jan 09