NAKED CYCLIST APPEARS IN COURT

[Jann]

Here is a little something from back in the old country . . . and even from my old neighbourhood, more or less . . .

NAKED CYCLIST APPEARS IN COURT

from the Bournemouth Echo

Wednesday, 4 May 2011

A NATURIST who cycled naked along Bournemouth seafront last summer was fully dressed when he appeared in court yesterday charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Electrical engineer Richard Collins, 54, from Hardwick, Cambridge, denies committing a public order offence during his nude seven-mile cycle from a friend’s home in Charminster to Sandbanks on June 30.

Prosecuting at Bournemouth magistrates’ court, Simon Jones said: “Cycling in that manner inevitably meant his behaviour would be witnessed by a number of people.”

The court heard how one woman had been alarmed after spotting Collins cycling in the buff in Bingham Road.

Mr Jones added: “He was also seen by elderly members of the public and a young mother with small children who was sufficiently moved to contact the police before losing sight of him.”

Another woman saw Collins as he was about to embark on the Sandbanks chain ferry before making his way to Studland beach.

Mr Jones said: “She was alarmed by what she saw. Mr Collins was arrested after putting on a denim mini shirt.

“He told police he had been a naturist for the last 30 years. There was no issue that he had ridden naked that day with two fully clothed friends who cycled behind him, significantly to gauge people’s responses.

“The prosecution submits that the defendant was clearly aware that his behaviour was considered insulting or disorderly.”

Father-of-two Collins, nicknamed “the Cambridge Nude Cyclist”, began cycling naked in the countryside around his Cambridgeshire home in 2002 and has promoted naturism for years.

Giving evidence in shorts, a grey top and training shoes, after changing from green tracksuit bottoms, Collins, who has organised naked picnics in London’s Hyde Park and naturist walks, said: “The bike ride was a celebration of life.

“I’ve always been one to want to push the boundaries; I don’t want to be stuck behind high hedges and fences.

“I want freedom to enjoy life. For me nudity is just another form of dress; I’m more happy not to wear clothes.”

He added: “Nudity seems to be absolutely fine in Cambridge. I’ve been naked in pubs and pub gardens without any problem. There’s nearly always a positive reaction from the public. The majority of responses are amusement and delight. I didn’t anticipate any adverse response.

“It was a beach day. My intention was to go to the naturist beach and spend the day there. Instead I spent 12 hours in a police cell.”

The trial continues.


And so it did.  The following day the Echo reports

CYCLIST "WAS NOT NAKED" ON THE RIDE DUE TO SOCKS AND SHOES

By Julie Magee »

CHILDREN were in a primary school playground when a naturist wearing only his training shoes and socks cycled past, Bournemouth magistrates heard yesterday.

Electrical engineer Richard Collins, 54, was arrested later that day as he prepared to embark upon the Sandbanks chain ferry after cycling along Bournemouth seafront in the buff last summer.

The father-of-two from Hardwick, Cambridge, denies causing harassment, alarm or distress during his nude seven-mile cycle from his friend Robert James’s home in Moordown on June 30.

Giving evidence for the defence, former naturist magazine journalist Mr James described Collins as “a naturist activist” and recalled how they had cycled to Corfe Castle and back on the previous day.

He added: “For a great part of that journey we were both naked and had no problem whatsoever even though we encountered a considerable number of members of the public.”

Mr James told the court how their route had taken them past St Luke’s Church of England Primary School in Winton adding: “Richard was a bit nervous about going past a school – we just cycled quickly past it.”

During cross-examination by prosecutor Simon Jones, Mr James, who described himself as “an academic lawyer”, added: “I could hear the sound of children but it was difficult to take a different route because of the one-way system.”

Referring to the day of Collins’ arrest, Mr James said: “I saw no reaction until we got to the pier and a woman came out of a café to take photographs of Richard.”

He told the court how he and a friend, who were both dressed, had travelled behind Collins because the promenade was busy that afternoon and to “gauge public reaction”.

Describing other police forces as “more enlightened” than Dorset, Mr James said he hadn’t cycled naked that day because he “didn’t want the hassle” and had decided to “wimp out of confrontation”.

He added: “If you’re wearing trainers and socks you are not naked.”

The case continues.



Yes, I expect that it will, but how will it be decided ?  However it does, good for Richard Collins.  Up the revolution ! ! !