Blake's Criminal Convictions and Legal History
The professional career of the BBC presenter Blake was marked by a series of legal challenges and criminal convictions that eventually led to his dismissal from the corporation. From violent incidents to historical offenses and traffic violations, his legal record spans several decades.
The 2009 Wounding Incident and Trial
On January 26, 2009, Blake was charged following an incident that occurred in the early hours of January 25 at his former restaurant. The event resulted in a 17-year-old being wounded. During the subsequent legal proceedings, Blake ceased presenting any programs for the BBC.
Blake first appeared before the Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court, where he faced charges of possessing an offensive weapon, wounding with intent, and affray. He appeared alongside a co-defendant, 38-year-old Steven Sproule of Booths Farm Road, Great Barr, who was charged with assault and affray. Both men were granted bail and appeared at Birmingham Crown Court on April 27, where they denied the charges.
The trial commenced at Birmingham Crown Court on July 27, 2009. While Steven Sproule pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, Blake maintained his innocence. He also pleaded not guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice—the act of preventing the legal process from functioning correctly—by allegedly throwing the weapon, a 3-foot (1 m) patio umbrella pole, into a nearby garden centre. Evidence presented in court indicated that Blake had hit the teenager in the face with the pole.
On August 3, 2009, the jury found Blake guilty of unlawful wounding and perverting the course of justice, though he was cleared of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. On September 2, 2009, he was sentenced to two years in prison. Despite an appeal in November 2009, the Court of Appeal rejected his request. Blake served nine months of his sentence at HMP Birmingham and HMP Stafford before being released under a home curfew in June 2010.
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Professional Consequences and Previous Record
The legal fallout resulted in immediate professional repercussions. Following an internal review, the BBC dismissed Blake on August 14, 2009.
The trial also brought Blake's prior criminal history to light. It was revealed that he had six previous convictions for theft (two in 1986, three in 1987, and one in 1993) and a conviction for handling stolen goods in 1988. Additionally, in 1988, he was found guilty of altering documents following a traffic collision, which led to a driving disqualification that he subsequently broke in 1990.
In an interview with ITV's Central Tonight, Blake explained that the BBC was unaware of these prior offenses because they were spent convictions—convictions that, after a certain period of time, are removed from a person's basic criminal record for employment purposes—at the time he joined the corporation.
Later Legal Issues: Drink-Driving
After his release from prison, Blake largely avoided the media. However, in March 2011, he appeared at Sutton Coldfield Magistrates' Court and admitted to a charge of drink driving. The incident occurred on January 10, the morning after a night out, when he was stopped while riding his BMW motorbike. Found to be over the legal limit, Blake was banned from driving for one year and ordered to pay £220 in fines and court fees.
Key Facts
- Primary Conviction (2009): Unlawful wounding and perverting the course of justice.
- Sentence: Two years in prison, serving nine months.
- Weapon Used: A 3-foot (1 m) patio umbrella pole.
- Employment Outcome: Dismissed by the BBC on August 14, 2009.
- Historical Record: Six theft convictions and one handling stolen goods conviction.
- Recent Offense: One-year driving ban for drink driving in 2011.
| Year | Offense/Event | Outcome/Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| 1986-1993 | Theft (6 counts) & Handling Stolen Goods | Various (Spent convictions) |
| 1988-1990 | Altering documents & Driving ban breach | Driving disqualification |
| 2009 | Unlawful wounding & Perverting course of justice | 2 years prison (9 months served) |
| 2011 | Drink driving | 1-year ban and £220 fine |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the weapon used in the 2009 incident?
The weapon used was a patio umbrella pole measuring 3 feet (1 meter) in length.
Why was Blake dismissed from the BBC?
Blake was dismissed on August 14, 2009, following an internal review conducted after his conviction for unlawful wounding and perverting the course of justice.
Did the BBC know about Blake's previous theft convictions?
No, the BBC was unaware of these convictions because they were spent convictions by the time Blake was employed by the corporation.
What happened during the 2011 drink-driving case?
Blake admitted to drink driving while operating a BMW motorbike on January 10. He received a one-year driving ban and was ordered to pay £220 in court fees and fines.
Which prisons did Blake serve his time in?
Blake served his sentence at HMP Birmingham and HMP Stafford.