Garry Oates, 66, a self-proclaimed 'eco campaigner' driving a Mercedes 4x4, has been given a suspended prison sentence and a fine after being convicted of dangerous driving and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
The incident occurred on June 26, 2021, at a car boot sale near Sandown Airport on the Isle of Wight. Oates struck traffic marshal Mark Patterson with his vehicle after being informed he was not permitted to drive up a specific track. Patterson sustained serious injuries, requiring six days in the hospital and resulting in significant mental health challenges, including multiple attempts to end his life, as detailed in a victim impact statement read in court.
Despite the conviction, Oates has maintained his innocence, denying he touched Mr. Patterson and claiming that "justice" had not been served. He represented himself in court after dismissing his defense counsel and requested an adjournment, which was denied. Oates has also contested claims regarding his family's alleged donation of a ship to Greenpeace that became The Rainbow Warrior, a vessel famously bombed by French agents. Information from the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology suggests The Rainbow Warrior was purchased by Greenpeace in 1978.
Oates was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to two years' imprisonment, suspended for two years. He was also fined £3,000, ordered to complete 20 rehabilitation days, and disqualified from driving for two years, requiring an extended retest. The judge described Oates' behavior as "disgraceful" and noted his "arrogant" refusal to accept responsibility for his actions. The court considered aggravating factors, including Oates' previous convictions for battery and threatening behavior, and the vulnerability of Mr. Patterson as a pedestrian.
Mr. Patterson's victim impact statement highlighted the profound psychological toll the incident has taken, affecting his ability to work as a traffic manager and his sense of safety, even outside his home. He reported feeling intimidated by Oates and experiencing ongoing distress that has impacted his family.
Oates and his father founded the Blue Seas Protection charity in the 1980s, which has listed Joanna Lumley and Brian May as patrons. The charity's reported income for the last available financial year was £2,500. In the past, the charity faced scrutiny from the Charity Commission regarding its registration status.