Council defends 'ad' court case

Richard Butler and his banner for the Derby Heart group

A council is defending its prosecution of a resident who put up a protest banner about one of its road schemes.

Derby City Council denies infringing Richard Butler's freedom of speech after ordering him to take it down.

Mr Butler is set to lose part of his garden in Kedleston Road if the Connecting Derby scheme is approved.

Councillor Lucy Care, said: "I do not know of anyone who would like to have lots of banners like that up on our housing estates producing advertising."

The member for planning, transport and the environment said: "This banner was on a residential building in a residential area.

"If this case had gone through, then it would have made it much easier for people to put up banners like that and it would be impossible for people to get them taken down."

The Connecting Derby scheme would widen roads around the Five Lamps junction.

After the case, Mr Butler felt there had been a "moral judgment" in his favour as magistrates gave him a conditional discharge.

Mr Butler, 45, denied displaying an advert without consent.

He was convicted by magistrates in Derby on Monday and ordered to pay £1,706 in costs.