Nwicker60
18-Oct-11, 07:40
Nike end support to Frenchman
A TOP international surfer, who was fined £500 at Wick Sheriff Court
last month, for carrying a knife, has lost his lucrative sponsorship
because of the conviction.
Charles Martin, who occupies the third spot in the world rankings,
admitted the offence, which occurred while he was competing in the
world O’ Neill Cold Water Classic qualifier, at Thurso, in April.
The 21-year-old got separated from a colleague while out in the town,
in April and as he had encountered trouble, earlier, he" foolishly", as
his solicitor put it, armed himself with the cutlery knife from the hotel
in which he was staying, and went to look for him. He met the police
and the knife offence came to light.
The solicitor, Neil Wilson, advised the court that Martin
from St Francois, Guadeloupe, stood to lose a lot, financially. The
accused, described as the Andy Murray of the surfing world, was earning
£44,000 a year, plus sponsorship from Nike amounting to £88,000 a year.
The sportswear company was said to attach considerable importance to
its image, and, have announced that they had withdrawn
Martin’s sponsorship because of his conviction.
A TOP international surfer, who was fined £500 at Wick Sheriff Court
last month, for carrying a knife, has lost his lucrative sponsorship
because of the conviction.
Charles Martin, who occupies the third spot in the world rankings,
admitted the offence, which occurred while he was competing in the
world O’ Neill Cold Water Classic qualifier, at Thurso, in April.
The 21-year-old got separated from a colleague while out in the town,
in April and as he had encountered trouble, earlier, he" foolishly", as
his solicitor put it, armed himself with the cutlery knife from the hotel
in which he was staying, and went to look for him. He met the police
and the knife offence came to light.
The solicitor, Neil Wilson, advised the court that Martin
from St Francois, Guadeloupe, stood to lose a lot, financially. The
accused, described as the Andy Murray of the surfing world, was earning
£44,000 a year, plus sponsorship from Nike amounting to £88,000 a year.
The sportswear company was said to attach considerable importance to
its image, and, have announced that they had withdrawn
Martin’s sponsorship because of his conviction.