Bob
8th July 2004, 00:08
A customer's protest at a city motorbike dealership grew into a fully-fledged police siege involving a dozen officers and negotiators. Staff at Bridge Motorcycles in Marsh Barton found themselves under a blockade when angry buyer Oliver Wilkinson, 36, parked his car in the workshop entrance and refused to budge.
Mr Wilkinson had travelled from his home in Plymouth to confront company bosses over £500 he claims he was promised for delays in repairing his 1600cc Kawasaki cruiser. He then parked his car into the entrance of Bridge's workshop.
Police sealed off the immediate area, leaving Mr Wilkinson in his car. Later, officers decided to call in specially-trained negotiators. The stand-off lasted more than four hours, when Mr Wilkinson was arrested without resistance.
Before his arrest, he claimed that he had bought his £8,500 new bike from Bridge last year, but later found traces of rust on some of the parts. Kawasaki said they would provide replacement parts, and Bridge agreed to do the necessary work.
Mr Wilkinson then claimed Bridge took excessively long to repair his bike, and provided a replacement which was not suitable for him to ride. He collected his bike before the repairs were complete, but still believes he is owed £500.
Mr Wilkinson had travelled from his home in Plymouth to confront company bosses over £500 he claims he was promised for delays in repairing his 1600cc Kawasaki cruiser. He then parked his car into the entrance of Bridge's workshop.
Police sealed off the immediate area, leaving Mr Wilkinson in his car. Later, officers decided to call in specially-trained negotiators. The stand-off lasted more than four hours, when Mr Wilkinson was arrested without resistance.
Before his arrest, he claimed that he had bought his £8,500 new bike from Bridge last year, but later found traces of rust on some of the parts. Kawasaki said they would provide replacement parts, and Bridge agreed to do the necessary work.
Mr Wilkinson then claimed Bridge took excessively long to repair his bike, and provided a replacement which was not suitable for him to ride. He collected his bike before the repairs were complete, but still believes he is owed £500.