Council warning on 'false' claims

Costs of £6,121 were awarded against the claimant by the judge

A local authority says it is seeking legal advice on whether a man who brought a negligence claim against it can be prosecuted.

Denbighshire council defended a case brought by a man who claimed an unsafe lamppost fell on his van.

District Judge John Thomas, at Rhyl County Court, dismissed the claim after the council argued that the lamppost had been deliberately interfered with.

The council said it would "robustly" defend claims it believed were false.

The court had heard last Friday how the claimant alleged the council had failed to remove the lamppost which he thought to be dangerous.

Legal advice

The council claimed it had done everything possible to ensure the safety of local residents and that the column must have fallen due to "persons unknown interfering with the lamppost".

Cost of £6,121 were awarded against the claimant, and the local authority is seeking legal advice on whether he can be prosecuted.

Deputy chief executive Alan Evans said: "This case highlights the fact that the council will not hesitate in defending any claim it believes to be false and we welcome the judgement in this case.

"This successful outcome has saved the authority £10,000 and the claim in total would have cost up to £20,000 if the decision had gone against the council."

He added: "Any cases brought against the authority place a strain on resources and we will take robust action in defending the council and the interest of council taxpayers."