December 1988 – 1989: charges and courts

The demolition was followed by charges against William Buckler in the magistrates’ courts and by action from the local council. The press record of those months is set out here; the court files themselves are not yet held.

3 December 1988 — Charges of assault laid against Mr Buckler

Record:

EV-0101 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“EVICTED farmer Bill Buckler … was taken from his hospital bed to face charges of assault on two bailiffs.”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that Mr Buckler was taken from a hospital bed to face charges of assault on two bailiffs.

What it does not show. A charge is not a finding. The snippet does not show the court, the plea or the outcome.

10 December 1988 — Mr Buckler freed on bail

Record:

EV-0109 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“… was freed on bail by magistrates yesterday. He faces charges …”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that Mr Buckler, aged 40, was freed on bail by magistrates and faced charges.

What it does not show. The snippet does not list the charges or the bail conditions.

13 December 1988 — “All I’ve got left are the clothes I stand up in”

Record:

EV-0110 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“All I’ve got left are the clothes [I] stand up in.”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo printed Mr Buckler’s words a week after the demolition.

What it does not show. His words only; no inventory of what was lost.

6 January 1989 — Bail conditions changed

Record:

EV-0116 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“… has had bail conditions changed on charges of assault, criminal damage and wanton or furious driving.”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that Mr Buckler’s bail conditions were changed on charges of assault, criminal damage and wanton or furious driving.

What it does not show. A press report, not a court record; it does not give the outcome of the charges.

early 1989 — A charge withdrawn as out of time

Record:

EV-0115 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“… was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service at Barry magistrates court yesterday.”

What the record shows. A cutting reported that the Crown Prosecution Service withdrew, at Barry magistrates’ court, a charge that Mr Buckler used threatening words and behaviour at the farm on 29 April 1988, because it was out of time; other charges were listed for 3 February.

What it does not show. The newspaper and date are not printed on the cutting.

11 February 1989 — The council authorises action over the demolition

Record:

EV-0117 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that by February 1989 the Vale of Glamorgan Council was taking legal and enforcement action against BP Properties over the demolition, after a council letter of 13 December 1988 went unanswered.

What it does not show. A press report. The outcome of the council’s action is not in the record.

20 March 1989 — Lorries on the cleared site

Record:

EV-0119 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“The lorries moved onto the site at 7.30am today and the operation is likely to take several days.”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported lorries moving onto the site at 7.30 am for an operation expected to take several days.

What it does not show. The snippet does not say what the operation was.

23 March 1989 — “Evicted farmer freed after pleading guilty”

Record:

EV-0120 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“A FARMER who lost his family home at Great House Farm, Llandough, when the premises were demolished at the end of last year today admitted two […]”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that the farmer who lost his home at Great House Farm admitted two charges and was freed.

What it does not show. The snippet does not show which charges were admitted, the court or the sentence.

24 March 1989 — “I will fight on to the death”

Record:

EV-0121 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“FARMER BILLY Buckler vowed to continue his fight over the loss of his historic family home and more than 70 acres of land …”

What the record shows. The South Wales Echo reported that Mr Buckler vowed to continue his fight over the loss of his family home and land.

What it does not show. A snippet without the full article.

1989 — “From farm to a bus”

Record:

EV-0112 (Legal Wiki, Evidence Register)

“SOUTH Wales farmer Billy Buckler, whose home was demolished last year after a 40-year-old row over ownership, now plans to live in an old bus which he is converting into a mobile home.”

What the record shows. A South Wales Echo feature by Peter Collins reported that the family were living with Mr Buckler’s sister and that he planned to live in an old bus he was converting.

What it does not show. The exact date and the rest of the article have not been seen. The value he put on the possessions taken is his own figure.