In 2001, Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn was convicted of \'selling bananas by the pound\' on imperial scales, a criminal offence as the result of an EU Directive.
The Metric Martyrs Campaign was set up to challenge the conviction, and prevent other traders suffering the same fate. The criminal case was consolidated with three others and attracted massive public support. There was public outrage when the convictions were upheld in the High Court in a case which established the supremacy of EU over British law.
Continued pressure by the Metric Martyrs Campaign ensured that no-one else was ever convicted under the Metrication Regulations.
The European Commission and the Government have now, after 7 years, announced that they are abandoning their enforced metrication programme. This represents a monumental victory for \'people power.\'
Tragically, Steve Thoburn died in his wife\'s arms of a heart attack at the age of 39, days after learning that his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights had been rejected.
The real tragedy is that the man who \'drew his line in the sand\' is not here to share the victory.
This petition respectfully requests a posthumous Royal Pardon for Steven Thoburn on behalf of his wife Leigh, and his children Rhys, Georgia and Jay and pardons for traders John Dove, Julian Harman and Colin Hunt, the only others ever to be convicted under the Metrication Regulations.
We, the undersigned, support the petition calling for a Royal Pardon for the Metric Martyrs.
Please sign and forward to your friends, relations and colleagues.
Together we can make it happen.
Please note that the donations page you are taken to after voting is to support I Petitions and is not connected to the Metric Martyrs.
If you want to support the Metric Martyrs click on the link below:
http://www.metricmartyrs.co.uk/donations.aspx
The stories shared in the comments illustrate the profound human cost of these convictions. We are carefully preparing our formal request to ensure the dignity of those who stood by their principles is properly recognized.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 14, 2007
Reached 100 supporters
May 12, 2007
11 Comments
A
adam marshall
4 years ago
Featured
The fact Steven Thoburn was ever convicted is a scandal. A posthumous pardon is the only just action
A
Andy Bates
5 years ago
Featured
The facts are that Thoburn was convicted of two offences under the Weights and Measures Act 1985 for selling bananas using scales that had been ‘de-stamped’ by a Trading Standards officer because they were only able to weigh in imperial measures. Basically this meant they were not certified, old, out of calibration, and not fit for purpose. Thoburn should have complied with the law.
M
Michael Veail
5 years ago
Featured
Punishments handed out by the EU regime need to be reversed and reparation paid.
S
Sean McManus
5 years ago
Featured
Time to right the wrongs of the past! Good luck and keep fighting for fairness for a good man - Thank you Daily Telegraph for the wake up call.
J
Jason Postlethwaite
10 years ago
Featured
Not usually one for signing these things. But I really would like to see this happen to demonstrate just how illiberal this law truly was to tell people what weights and measures they should be using in their shops.
D
Dave Hart
19 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous that he was treated like a criminal for doing exactly what his customers wanted. Clear his name already!
A
Anonymous
4 years ago
Steven was one of the good guys, hard working honest man
In 2001, Sunderland greengrocer Steve Thoburn was convicted of \'selling bananas by the pound\' on imperial scales, a criminal offence as the result of an EU Directive.
The Metric Martyrs Campaign was set up to challenge the conviction, and prevent other traders suffering the same fate. The criminal case was consolidated with three others and attracted massive public support. There was public outrage when the convictions were upheld in the High Court in a case which established the supremacy of EU over British law.
Continued pressure by the Metric Martyrs Campaign ensured that no-one else was ever convicted under the Metrication Regulations.
The European Commission and the Government have now, after 7 years, announced that they are abandoning their enforced metrication programme. This represents a monumental victory for \'people power.\'
Tragically, Steve Thoburn died in his wife\'s arms of a heart attack at the age of 39, days after learning that his appeal to the European Court of Human Rights had been rejected.
The real tragedy is that the man who \'drew his line in the sand\' is not here to share the victory.
This petition respectfully requests a posthumous Royal Pardon for Steven Thoburn on behalf of his wife Leigh, and his children Rhys, Georgia and Jay and pardons for traders John Dove, Julian Harman and Colin Hunt, the only others ever to be convicted under the Metrication Regulations.
We, the undersigned, support the petition calling for a Royal Pardon for the Metric Martyrs.
Please sign and forward to your friends, relations and colleagues.
Together we can make it happen.
Please note that the donations page you are taken to after voting is to support I Petitions and is not connected to the Metric Martyrs.
If you want to support the Metric Martyrs click on the link below:
http://www.metricmartyrs.co.uk/donations.aspx
The stories shared in the comments illustrate the profound human cost of these convictions. We are carefully preparing our formal request to ensure the dignity of those who stood by their principles is properly recognized.
Reached 1,000 supporters
May 14, 2007
Reached 100 supporters
May 12, 2007
11 Comments
A
adam marshall
4 years ago
Featured
The fact Steven Thoburn was ever convicted is a scandal. A posthumous pardon is the only just action
A
Andy Bates
5 years ago
Featured
The facts are that Thoburn was convicted of two offences under the Weights and Measures Act 1985 for selling bananas using scales that had been ‘de-stamped’ by a Trading Standards officer because they were only able to weigh in imperial measures. Basically this meant they were not certified, old, out of calibration, and not fit for purpose. Thoburn should have complied with the law.
M
Michael Veail
5 years ago
Featured
Punishments handed out by the EU regime need to be reversed and reparation paid.
S
Sean McManus
5 years ago
Featured
Time to right the wrongs of the past! Good luck and keep fighting for fairness for a good man - Thank you Daily Telegraph for the wake up call.
J
Jason Postlethwaite
10 years ago
Featured
Not usually one for signing these things. But I really would like to see this happen to demonstrate just how illiberal this law truly was to tell people what weights and measures they should be using in their shops.
D
Dave Hart
19 years ago
Featured
Ridiculous that he was treated like a criminal for doing exactly what his customers wanted. Clear his name already!
A
Anonymous
4 years ago
Steven was one of the good guys, hard working honest man
The fact Steven Thoburn was ever convicted is a scandal. A posthumous pardon is the only just action