Council compensates jogger who spent Christmas Day locked in park toilets

Council compensates jogger who spent Christmas Day locked in park toilets

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 4:05 PM on 05th February 2010

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Town hall chiefs have agreed to pay compensation to a jogger who spent 17 hours locked in a freezing public toilet on Christmas Day.

With only his running gear to keep him warm, the runner was forced to wrap himself in bin liner and toilet roll and spent the night underneath a hand-dryer to save off the cold.

The man, who was captured on CCTV footage, used the Dulwich Park lavatories at 4.30pm on Christmas Eve after going for a run.

Not-so-happy Christmas: CCTV cameras captured a jogger as he spent 17 hours locked in Dulwich Park toilets

He was locked in after an attendant failed to check if anyone was inside the building.

The man didn't have a mobile phone to call for help and was then trapped until 9.30am Christmas Day, meaning he missed opening presents with his family.

After the man was released from the toilet he complained to Southwark Council and put in a claim against it.

Southwark Council chiefs apologised to the runner.

A spokesman said: 'We have offered this man compensation. I cannot go into any detail because we are in negotiations and no figure has been agreed.'

It is understood the attendant was on a temporary contract and is no longer employed by the council.

Councillor Linda Manchester said: 'This is the first time anyone has been locked in the toilets.'

'All our toilet buildings are checked every night before locking and so this should not have happened.

'The importance of making thorough checks of cubicles has been re-iterated to all members of the parks locking team.'