'Metric martyr' charges dropped

Janet Devers said her conviction was unfair

A new trial against an east London market trader, convicted last year of using imperial weights and measures, has been dropped by the prosecution.

Janet Devers, 64, was convicted by magistrates of eight charges under the Weights and Measures Act and given a two-year conditional discharge.

Devers, who owns a stall at Ridley Road Market in Dalston, opted for crown court trial on a further four charges.

The prosecution said it was "not in the public interest" to pursue the case.

I've really had quite enough now - it's 19 months of stress and aggravation Janet Devers

Hackney Council, which brought the prosecution, did not offer evidence against the fruit and vegetable stallholder at the trial in Snaresbrook Crown Court, which was due to begin on Monday.

Devers said: "I'm very pleased that Hackney Council have used common-sense at last and I'm very happy about the outcome of it today (Monday).

"It saved an awful lot of money for the taxpayer."

Devers was initially convicted at Thames Magistrates' Court in October.

She later lodged an appeal against conviction and that will be heard at Snaresbrook Crown Court in February.

'Unbelievable' support

But she said she was "a bit disappointed" that the council would contest her appeal.

"I've really had quite enough now - it's 19 months of stress and aggravation," she said.

She said her customers' support was "unbelievable" and they would "come up every week asking how I'm getting on with the case".

Devers would not have to bear the costs for three hearings in the new case, Judge Judith Beech said.

Devers, from Wanstead, east London, and her brother Colin Hunt have been separately prosecuted by Hackney Council for refusing to abandon imperial measures.

She has been backed by the Metric Martyrs campaign, which is fighting for a change in the law to end such prosecutions.