Dorset County Council v Goodall [2017] EWFC 87 (27 November 2017)

Dorset County Council v Goodall [2017] EWFC 87 (27 November 2017)

Mr. Goodall breached the terms of three injunctions by harassing staff, posting prohibited content, contacting staff and adopters, and failing to comply with court orders. The breaches were proved to the criminal standard and constitute contempt of court. The conduct was sufficiently serious to warrant imprisonment, but the sentence is suspended for two years on condition of compliance.

Citation
[2017] EWFC 87
Parties
Applicant: Dorset County Council; Respondent: Martin John Goodall
Jurisdiction
England and Wales
Judgment Date
27 November 2017
Procedural Posture
Committal Application for Contempt of Court / Final Judgment
Outcome
Mr. Goodall found in contempt of court for 13 breaches; sentenced to three months' imprisonment for each breach, sentences to run concurrently, suspended for two years on condition of compliance with orders.
Legal Topics
Injunctions, Protection From Harassment, Family Law Act Orders, Adoption, Care Orders, Breach of Court Orders
Family Law Contempt of Court Injunctions Protection From Harassment Family Law Act Orders Adoption Care Orders Breach of Court Orders

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Parties

Dorset County Council

Applicant

Martin John Goodall

Respondent

Procedural Posture

Committal Application for Contempt of Court / Final Judgment

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether Martin John Goodall breached injunctions made on 20 July 2015
  2. 2 Whether conduct amounts to contempt of court
  3. 3 Appropriate sanction for contempt

Ratio Decidendi

Mr. Goodall breached the terms of three injunctions by harassing staff, posting prohibited content, contacting staff and adopters, and failing to comply with court orders. The breaches were proved to the criminal standard and constitute contempt of court. The conduct was sufficiently serious to warrant imprisonment, but the sentence is suspended for two years on condition of compliance.

Court Disposition

Mr. Goodall found in contempt of court for 13 breaches; sentenced to three months' imprisonment for each breach, sentences to run concurrently, suspended for two years on condition of compliance with orders.

Orders

  • Suspended sentence of three months' imprisonment for each breach, concurrent, suspended for two years.
  • Orders of 20 July 2015 remain in force unconditionally.