A man has been given community service for trying to get around planning rules by declaring his land a sovereign state – and making himself ‘King Steve’.
Determined Steve Ogier wanted to build a small home on the plot but his application was refused.
The dad-of-one then declared the land ‘Everland’ and made himself its ruler and campaigned to have it classified as its own state.
Steve took his battle to the Royal Court on Guernsey but his claims were rejected, and he was convicted for five offences under The Land and Planning Law.
What is your view? Have your say in the comment section
(Image: Guernsey Press/SWNS.COM)
Now Steve has been given 120 hours of community service, but he still maintains that he has not broken the law.
Representing himself, Ogier told the court that, as far as he was concerned, he was not appearing to be sentenced but to ask for all previous orders and judgments to be dismissed.
Prior to the court deliberating sentence, Deputy Bailiff Jessica Roland asked the defendant what type of sentence he would respect.
(Image: Guernsey Press/SWNS.COM)
(Image: Guernsey Press/SWNS.COM)
He said he would do community service if it was a stand-alone penalty, as he did not mind serving the community and he did not consider it a sentence.
If imposed along with anything else, however, he would refuse to do both.
While the court could treat him as a man of previously good character he was put at a high risk of reoffending when it came to planning matters.
(Image: Guernsey Press/SWNS.COM)
The Mirror’s newsletter brings you the latest news, exciting showbiz and TV stories, sport updates and essential political information.
The newsletter is emailed out first thing every morning, at 12noon and every evening.
Never miss a moment by signing up to our newsletter here.
Sentences of 40 hours community service were imposed for each offence though some will be concurrent leaving a total of 120.
Ms Roland reminded him he still had to comply with the planning legislation and said he could expect more severe penalties were he to come back before the court for further breaches.