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TROUBLED: Wayne Fontana dressed as ‘The Lady of Justice’.
Fontana admits arson charge
30/ 5/2007
Troubled '60s pop star Wayne Fontana is behind bars after appearing in court in a dress to admit setting fire to a bailiff's car.
The singer swept into Derby Crown Court dressed as 'The Lady of Justice' to plead guilty to an arson attack.
Fontana, 61, is alleged to have poured petrol over the bonnet of bailiff Paul Stott's car and then torched it while Mr Stott was still sitting inside.
On Friday Fontana, real name Glyn Ellis, admitted a charge of arson being reckless to whether life was endangered as a result of the incident at his home in River Bank Way, Glossop on 1 February.
But he denied a more serious charge of arson with intent to endanger life, insisting Mr Stott got out of the vehicle before it was engulfed in flames.
The singer could face up to 14 years in jail if it is decided he committed the more serious offence.
The judge adjourned the case until July, when a hearing will decide whether he committed the more serious charge.
He was instead remanded in custody and told a prison term was guaranteed.
Fontana had earlier paraded outside Derby Crown Court dressed in a white smock and cape made from bedsheets and brandishing a cardboard sword.
He also carried a home-made 'scales of justice' - actually a kitchen colander - as he protested against his alleged plight in front of bemused passers-by.
He agreed to remove a home-made golden crown "out of respect" but sported a pair of sunglasses and attempted to puff on a plastic cigarette during the hearing.
The court heard how Mr Stott and another bailiff visited Fontana's home over what are thought to have been debts arising out of a parking offence.
James Allen, prosecuting, said: "The defendant went inside and the bailiffs returned to their cars, which were parked either side of the defendant's.
"The defendant came out of the house with a water bottle containing petrol and set fire to the car belonging to Paul Stott while he was in it.
"Mr Stott said: 'What do you think you are doing?' He says the defendant said: 'I am going to burn you.' That is denied by the defendant.
"The crown says the car was alight for at least 10 seconds and the front of the car was engulfed in flames before Mr Stott managed to get out."
In a witness statement, Mr Stott said: "I was so surprised that I didn't make any move to leave the vehicle. In fact, I locked the door.
"I was extremely shocked - in fear of my life."
Judge Andrew Hamilton adjourned the case for a Newton hearing after the prosecution refused to accept Fontana's plea to the lesser offence.
Hugh McKee, defending, said Fontana maintained Mr Stott was not in the car when he set fire to it.
Adjourning the case until July 6, the judge told Fontana: "You will be going to prison - the only question is how long you will be going to prison for.
"What you did was a most serious offence. You didn't know that the car wouldn't blow up and kill this man. Clearly the car was engulfed in flames."
The judge ordered that psychiatric reports be prepared on Fontana.
Fontana found fame in 1964 when he and his band, the Mindbenders, had hits like Game of Love - a US number one - and Um, Um, Um, Um, Um, Um.
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
However, from this on the internet:- Dear sir, Article from MEN 8/5/2007
"TWO teenage thugs who set a dad on fire in a 'RACE' attack have been given Anti-Social Behaviour Orders."
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/s/1006/1006408_thugs_who_set_fire_to_dad_given_asbos.html
Therefore, according to the British Judicial system, the life of an Asian in Britain is of far less value than that of the car bonnet of a paid government henchman, namely a bailiff. Mr Fontana is a first time offender in his 60's,goaded and pushed beyond the edge of reason by the bullying tactics of certain members of the British establishment.
"Sean E., and Jamie W., set fire to a black neighbour's jacket and threatened to burn down his house after a campaign of abuse."
Incidently, my boyfriend, an important businessman,and ASIAN himself, is disgusted that Mr Fontana has been singled out for such serious punishment, and yet these two racist animals have been set free by the courts. He is planning to take the matter up with a close friend of his who is a European diplomat with close ties to the President of that country to highlight this injustice.
Getting interesting.
1/06/2007 at 13:31
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2/06/2007 at 00:40