From Famous, to Infamous (and back again)
A message from kevin O'Connor sent to the prime ministers office in 2007
Dear Sir,
First of all let me say that this is not a complaint as such.
It is to bring to light certain circumstances that have led me to this particular point in my life, and the history of what I consider, unfair treatment that has tarnished my good name.
In 1994 I sustained an injury to my back which finished my work for some time. As a martial arts instructor I had students to consider and where possible, I attended their training to ensure standards were being upheld. I was now under the wing of the DWP and received support and attended medicals when required. When in 1996 I confirmed with the DWP that I was running a karate club they sent a reply dated 22/07/96 which stated
"Dear Mr O'Connor thank you for telling us about your work as a karate club instructor.
I am pleased to tell you that the Adjudication officer has accepted the voluntary nature of this work and decided that you can still get incapacity benefit.
The decision is based on your statement that you are only involved in the project for 4 hours per week."
I attended all the required medicals asked of me by the DWP, which inexplicably stopped after their doctor lied and I proved my case in front of a tribunal.
At no time did I ever earn money for myself during this time, indeed in 2005 I was presented with a Volunteer of the Year award supported by CSV, Volunteering England and yourselves? I was invited and went on to attend the ceremony at Drury Lane on 22nd January.
By 2007 I was being summoned to court to answer to the charges of "Fraud" which I protested strongly against, but on the morning of the case was advised that I had to plead guilty to receiving the money (which was never in question)? So it was then that I was convicted and sentenced to prison, even though I was no risk to the public and certainly only acted on the acceptance of the DWP 96 letter, as nothing had changed.
It became a crime to help others. Indeed, my students travelled to Belgium , and were all ranked 10th or better in Europe . The children went to Eslov in Sweden for the Budo Nord (world cup) and all came away with high ranking results including a first. To be made a criminal for this hard work, after 10 years of fighting back pain and injury, I had to accept.
I worked to raise funds for the Association, the press performed their "trial by media" and so my character assassination was complete (without two sides to the story)..being branded "the karate kidder"
Never the less many martial artists around the world knew my character and remained supportive and loyal to our cause of providing top instructors for the members. I accepted my fate and assumed, after the indignity of prison it could be put behind me and my children, my wife and I could start anew.
Alas NO
This criminal record for doing good has tainted my name and I was not been able to get work to support my family.
I was unable to claim any form of benefit since May 07 due to my wife working 24 hours per week? So I get £4.00 a day on my wife's tax credits.
The home secretary has felt it necessary to add six years to my bankrupt declaration too
I am not, I feel, a criminal of intent, so did not steal to feed them, so they went hungry.
Now the DWP, as well as sending me to prison are seeking monitary renumeration for the years from 2000 - 2005, even though during that time I had attended their medicals which did not declare me fit, (as I say, that mysteriously stopped).
I have had to sign a letter saying I will not refute the DWP case or claims under treat of re-serving my sentence? a gagging order?
These events caused my wife (of twenty years) to commence seeking a divorce, because of the stress and strain of the whole sordid affair, and as of oct 2005 began living alone in Stone, Staffs..
I intend to take NO action. However I hope that when the time comes a great injustic will be rectified and my work, input and knowledge will be appreciated.
I hope the English instructors who used this situation to poach BKJK members will forever hang their heads in shame, although I feel their egos, just as the legal system in this country, will blind them to the injustice of this whole sordid affair.
Respectfully yours
K.E O'Connor (Dip sports psy)
Dear Mr O'Connor
Thank you for your message to the Prime Minister which you sent through the Downing Street website (www.number-10.gov.uk). We need to confirm that we have your correct details and that the message shown at the bottom of this email is from you.
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Thanks,
The Number 10 Web Team. Here is the text we received:
RE: Law and Order
To this date October 2010, Mr OConnor still awaits a reply
