THE row over Craig Hunt rumbles on in Studley, despite attempts by the parish council to draw a line under it.
Craig has now resigned from the four voluntary organisations he helped in the village for fear he falls foul of the authority again.
Some groups are now saying they are now frightened to touch or alter parish property in case they too get the police knocking on their doors.
Meanwhile David Edgington of Alcester Road garage DC Edgington has stepped in and offered to pay Craig’s £277.50 fine, however this cost of repair has now been rescinded by the parish council.
“It’s pathetic that someone who is trying to do a bit of good in the village should end up in Craig’s position,” said Mr Edgington.
“If what he did was so bad and was a a health and safety issue, why hasn’t the council shut down the skate park? It doesn’t make sense.
“Craig acted in good faith and for his pains he’s been cautioned and presented with a fine. It’s putting other people off volunteering in the village.”
Craig’s story hit the national headlines when he was seen on CCTV painting over obscene graffiti on Studley skate park.
The parish council informed the police and the retired bank worker was cautioned and told he would have to pay £277.50 in repairs.
Craig himself said: “Over in Worcester the council congratulated someone for painting over graffiti. In Studley they send the police round with a bill, and I am simply not prepared to have the police in my kitchen again.”
Gill Liebthal, chair of the gold medal winning Studley in Bloom team said: “It’s a real shame because the village has lost a valuable volunteer.”
Councillor Paul Beaman, chairman of Studley Parish Council said: “The council feels the decision it made was the right one and they see no reason to change it,” he said.
He added that Craig had been warned once before after acting alone to paint over graffiti without council knowledge and urged to notify it first in future if he saw a need to act again, which he had failed to do.
