'Ironic, isn't it?' says Jehovah's Witness in court for harassing another Jehovah's Witness
By Dover Express | Posted: October 27, 2014
By Jamie Rose EXCLUSIVE [email protected]
ISN'T IT IRONIC: Derek O'Hare outside court
A JEHOVAH'S Witness has appeared in court – charged with harassing another Jehovah's Witness.
Derek O'Hare, of St David's Avenue, Aycliffe, is accused of using "abusive language and behaviour" towards elder Ron Felt in Market Square on July 22.
O'Hare, 57, was expelled from the Dover Kingdom Hall, based in North Military Road, earlier this year.
Following his expulsion he went to Dover town centre, where Mr Felt and his wife were handing out literature, and set up a loud-speaker system which blared out recordings of conversations in which O'Hare makes allegations about the congregation.
Speaking at Folkestone Magistrates Court, prosecutor Rachael Laughland said: "The victim and his wife were in Market Square and in their position as Jehovah's Witnesses they had put out literature on a stand.
"They were approached by the defendant who set up a loud-speaker system and started to play a tape recording. They moved away to another part of Market Square and were followed by the defendant who continued with what he was doing.
"They moved back to the original place and the defendant continued shouting verbal abuse at the victim and his wife. There were clearly members of public present."
O'Hare accepts playing the recordings in public but denies using abusive language and behaviour.
Pleading not guilty to "harassment without violence", he told the court: "I don't accept that what I did would cause alarm or distress.
"I walked down the high street and outside Marks & Spencer they were putting up scaffolding and blasting out rap music.
"I thought if they are not breaking the law, then what can Mr Felt complain about if I'm simply playing him a recording of his own voice?"
Pointing to three people in the public gallery, O'Hare added: "This is a big conspiracy from the whole Jehovah's Witnesses group. They are here today to make sure they report back what's gone on."
A trial has been set for February 16 at Margate Magistrates' Court. Speaking outside court, O'Hare told the Express: "Quite ironic, isn't it? A Jehovah's Witness is taking another Jehovah's Witness to court for harassment, when they spend most of their time harassing other people."