A recent incident involving hotel director Matthew Howarth has drawn considerable attention after he was caught on CCTV engaged in a shocking act at a village shop in Cornwall. Following his attendance at a wellness retreat in Bude, the 43-year-old from Windermere, in the Lake District, was seen urinating on fresh produce, specifically parsnips, nectarines, and potatoes, meant for sale at the Stratton Stores.
The event occurred late in the afternoon, around 5.30 PM, when Howarth was allegedly under the influence of alcohol after having spent time consuming drinks at a local pub. David Shepherd, the manager of Stratton Stores, reported that shop staff had initially alerted him to Howarth’s concerning behaviour. Witnesses described him as “clearly intoxicated,” exhibiting odd actions, including wandering around the village and slurring his words.
Upon hearing about the disturbance, Shepherd rushed to the shop and was briefed by his staff, who were worried enough about Howarth's conduct that they requested to close the shop. Once on site, Shepherd noticed Howarth had driven away in his Ford Ranger, prompting him to follow the vehicle while simultaneously contacting the police.
Shepherd described Howarth's driving as erratic, stating, “He was all over the road, stopping in the middle, swerving between lanes and driving on the wrong side.” Eventually, Howarth drove into a cul-de-sac, where police apprehended him. A subsequent breathalyser test revealed he was more than twice over the legal alcohol limit.
After the arrest, Shepherd reviewed the shop's CCTV to understand the incident further. He recounted his horror upon discovering footage of Howarth urinating on the stored fruit and vegetables. “He had just left a pub with a toilet and there is a toilet block just 50 metres from the shop. How drunk have you got to be?” he remarked.
In court, Howarth faced charges of drink driving and criminal damage. He received a fine totaling £2,237, which included £42 as compensation for the damaged produce. This conviction marks his second offence of a similar nature within the last decade. During proceedings at Truro Magistrates’ Court, Howarth expressed remorse, stating, “I have trouble with alcohol. I have not drunk since this incident. I was at a wellness retreat but things did not work out.”
The magistrate did not hold back in their criticism, labelling Howarth's behaviour as “vile” and stating that he was fortunate not to receive a custodial sentence of six weeks. The Justice of the Peace underscored the gravity of his actions by remarking, “We don’t want people coming down to our county acting in such a disgusting way.”
Following the incident, Shepherd voiced similar concerns, asserting that Howarth should have exhibited greater respect for Cornwall, treating it “like his home.” He unequivocally stated that the hotel director would not be welcome in the village in the future.
This incident has sparked discussion about alcohol consumption and public behaviour, especially among individuals in positions of authority, highlighting the potential repercussions of intoxication.
Source: Noah Wire Services