THE CITIZEN’S Arrest Network (CAN) has been taken on by a law firm as part of its continued efforts to prosecute a Thames Water CEO.
The CAN is now working with solicitors Leigh Day to seek prosecution of Chris Weston, Chief Executive Officer of the utilities provider.
Leigh Day will now prepare evidence on behalf of CAN for submission to Thames Valley Police, which could lead on to TVP mounting their own investigation.
CAN accuses Mr Weston of up to seven counts of public nuisance, a crime that carries a 10 year maximum sentence.
The charges include a focus on infrastructure and drinking water it deems unsafe, environmental damage and sewage spills, which pose a risk to the public’s access to clean water.
If a police investigation deems appropriate, and indictment and subsequent prosecution could be lodged against Mr Weston.
It comes after an attempt was made to perform a citizens’ arrest on Mr Weston last week, during which he was approached by a group of women while on Vastern Road, Reading, and addressed by Sara Melly, who said she wished to speak to him.
Mr Weston was reported to have removed himself from a group of people who had encircled him and headed towards the company’s head offices, when Ms Melly attempted to place him under citizens’ arrest.
Mr Weston denied having committed a crime and left the scene.
It also follows the government announcement earlier this year that new laws would be introduced that would see water bosses who “cover up illegal sewage spills” face harsher sentencing, including jail time.
It comes as the latest of a string of actions by the network which include another attempted citizen’s arrest earlier this month, and the giving of evidence dossiers to CEOs of water companies across eight sites.
No final arrests have been made.
Rachel Whyte, who delivered an evidence dossier in March to the Thames Water headquarters, said: “Ship captains who spill toxic oil are prosecuted, and in Italy the executives that oversee chemical dumps are jailed.
“But over here executives like Chris Weston make millions from pumping sewage into our waterways.
“They were protected by the corporate veil, but this must change–Weston is only the start.”
Thames Water has been contacted for comment.
