‘King of Everland’ is told States could take his land
THE self-proclaimed ‘King of Everland’ was warned yesterday that the States of Guernsey had the power to take his land in the Castel off him.
It came after Steven Ogier – ‘King Steve’ – was found in contempt of court by breaching an undertaking he gave to the Royal Court in October last year not to do, or get anyone else to do, anything on his land at Ruette du Frocq which amounted to development.
Mr Ogier accepted that a shipping container had been placed on the site within the last three or four weeks but he denied doing anything wrong.
In May last year he declared the land independent after he was told he would not be able to build a home on it for himself or his daughter. He argued that his land was not part of Guernsey and therefore out of the island’s jurisdiction and nobody had been able to tell him otherwise.
Delivering his judgment yesterday, Deputy Bailiff Richard McMahon said the defendant was now at risk of an immediate prison sentence, a suspended one, a fine of up to £50,000, or both.
He said he would give Mr Ogier a chance to apologise, which would could make it easier for him going forward.
Mr Ogier repeated that he believed he had done nothing wrong and said he would build a home on Everland.
The court heard that the Development & Planning Authority had served a compliance notice on Mr Ogier on 19 January instructing him to move the container which he said he was using for storage.
He had 28 days to appeal the notice and, if he did not, a further 28 days to remove the container.
Mr McMahon said he would adjourn sentencing until that period was over to give Mr Ogier time to hopefully come to his senses.
‘I want you to go away and think about what the consequences could be, not just for you, but for your daughter,’ he said.
For the States of Guernsey, Advocate Robin Gist made an application for the costs of the proceedings to be awarded on a standard recoverable basis.
Mr Ogier said he was already in debt for £5,000 and had no money.
Mr McMahon said if the States of Guernsey chose to pursue the debt they could do it by not necessarily confiscating goods belonging to Mr Ogier, but they could take his land.
The Deputy Bailiff gave reasons why he said the court could not recognise the land as an independent micro-nation as Mr Ogier claimed it was.
Mr Ogier told the court that there had been no formal undertaking.
He had given the court his word on the basis that he understood everything and that they had shaken hands on it. This had not happened.
The judiciary in Guernsey did not shake hands with litigants, said Mr McMahon, but made orders of court which were subject to Guernsey law.
Mr Ogier said that if the court wanted to treat him like a political prisoner then so be it, and he did not think he had had a fair trial.
The case will resume in March.
