Arrogance of water-skiing IT boss caught speeding on tranquil Windermere
A ‘BELLIGERENT’ IT boss claimed he was the victim of a ‘kangaroo court’ when park rangers caught him breaking the speed limit while waterskiing on Windermere.
David Webster, 45, dismissed the officials who stopped his boat – and warned him that he faced prosecution and a £500 fine – as having ‘the same power as the Salvation Army’.
When they tried to confirm Webster’s name, he refused and said: ‘ You know who I am’ – and claimed that breaking the lake’s speed limit was ‘like playing football on the grass when told not to’.
Webster, the owner of an IT firm, has previously posted photos online showing off his tricks on the lake, including flips and jumps. He was prosecuted as master of the vessel, despite not driving it at the time.
South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court heard that patrol officers spotted Webster, from Bury, near Manchester, on an e-board – a short board on which the skier kneels – being towed by his friend in his £13,000 speedboat.
Julie Wood, prosecuting on behalf of Lake District National Park Authority (LDNPA), said: ‘ No powered vessel should exceed ten knots [11.5mph] or the master of the vessel is liable for prosecution and a fine up to £500.
‘on April 23, ranger Jack Holmes was on patrol when he saw a red vessel and believed it was in excess of the speed limit.
‘ They pulled alongside and obtained details of the boat. It was registered to Mr Webster. They tried to caution Mr Webster as the registered owner and the defendant said, “You have the same power as the Salvation Army”. ’
Webster had pleaded not guilty to the charges in July, but changed his plea this week to guilty of navigating a vessel in excess of the limit. Stuart Page, defending, said: ‘He was just over the limit. There was no one else on the lake. This is not a case of recklessness.’ The court fined Webster £400, ordered him to pay £1,000 costs and pay a £40 victim surcharge.
The LDNPA had claimed £7,107 costs, which magistrates refused.
Robert Maddocks, chairman of the bench, criticised Webster for his lack of remorse and ‘a level of arrogance and belligerence’.
Speaking after the hearing, Webster said: ‘What made me angry was the way they came after me with blue lights flashing and the siren going. I told them they were acting like police officers when all they were doing was enforcing a bylaw like not playing ball games on grass. I do regret alluding to being brought before a “kangaroo court”. I think that is why I ended up being prosecuted.’