Former Rossendale councillor breached college ban
9:40am Monday 13th September 2010 in News By Wendy Barlow , Court reporter
COURT: Noel O’Brien
A FORMER councillor and college lecturer had to be wrestled to the floor by security staff when he tried to enter Blackburn College in breach of an order banning him from all campus buildings.
Blackburn magistrates heard Noel William O’Brien, a former Haslingden councillor, claimed he was attending a pre-arranged appointment and became abusive.
And when a police community support officer arrived and asked him to calm down he said she wasn’t a 'proper copper' and couldn’t tell him what to do.
O’Brien, 59, of Mercer Crescent, Haslingden, pleaded guilty to threatening behaviour.
He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs.
When the charge was put to him O’Brien said: “It's unfortunate that under Section 5 of the Public Order Act you can’t speak your mind.
"That is what I did on this day and it is what I will always do.”
Don Green, prosecuting, said O’Brien used to work at Blackburn College but due to a previous incident he had been barred from entering any of the college buildings.
He was repeatedly asked to moderate his language and behaviour, which was witnessed by staff and pupils and was eventually arrested by a police officer for a breach of the peace.
Jonathan Taylor, defending, said his client had never received any notification of a ban from the college buildings.
Two weeks before the incident he had received information about some courses that interested him and had responded and made an appointment.
“He received a letter inviting him to the college, where he worked for over eight years, and on the day of this incident had a legitimate appointment,” said Mr Taylor.
“CCTV shows him entering the premises calm and well dressed and he spoke to two former colleagues who described him as perfectly calm.
"It was only when he was approached by three over zealous security guards that things went wrong.
“He says he was forced to the ground for not complying with their request to leave.
"He was irate at this point and accepts his language was not appropriate.”
Comments(8)
your granny
says...
11:54am Mon 13 Sep 10
Abu Qurfan
says...
12:20pm Mon 13 Sep 10
your granny wrote:Granny, are you saying that noel is few slates short of a roof, not the full shilling, the lights are on but there is nobody in, nutty as a fruit cake, a complete fruit loop? Just wanted to clear that up.
the problem is that noel o'brien lives in a world of make believe where he thinks he has the moral highground when talking to others. He fails to realise that his actions actually scare and intimidate people, which results in him being dragged to court time and time again. I don't think Noel is a bad man, just a bit poorly in the head.
your granny
says...
12:43pm Mon 13 Sep 10
Forever Rover
says...
1:24pm Mon 13 Sep 10
your granny wrote:It was the dickie bow that gave it away. Anyone who wears one who isn't a). James Bond or b). On a cruise ship - is either Mr Blobby or a bit of a knobber dobber.
Forever Rover wrote:a little bit of bothAbu Qurfan wrote:Or just a knob?your granny wrote: the problem is that noel o'brien lives in a world of make believe where he thinks he has the moral highground when talking to others. He fails to realise that his actions actually scare and intimidate people, which results in him being dragged to court time and time again. I don't think Noel is a bad man, just a bit poorly in the head.Granny, are you saying that noel is few slates short of a roof, not the full shilling, the lights are on but there is nobody in, nutty as a fruit cake, a complete fruit loop? Just wanted to clear that up.
singi
says...
5:45pm Mon 13 Sep 10
When this idiot comes into college he likes to abuse and threaten female members of staff and hence them calling security, two weeks before this incident he was on site, again abusing female staff members and when security arrived he tryed to run one of them over in his camper van after making threats to them!!!!!! muppet!!!!
The bottom line is is that O'Brien obviously hates females and people with authority / uniform!!!!
Oh and he doesnt like clampers to !!!!!
John_May_Lives
says...
6:45pm Mon 13 Sep 10
.
So what can you expect, really?
miss newsworthy
says...
9:40pm Mon 13 Sep 10
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Hacked off too says...
11:22am Mon 13 Sep 10