Man appears in court over Somerset ‘gimp suit’ incidents

Joshua Hunt, 31, of the Claverham area, appeared at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court today

On Sunday, Avon and Somerset Police said they found and arrested a rubber-clad man after he leapt in front of a moving vehicle (Handout)

A man has appeared in court over a series of incidents relating to the so-called ‘Somerset Gimp’.

Joshua Hunt, 31, is accused of two counts of affray and one count each of possession of a bladed article and committing an act of outraging public decency.

One of the affray charges and the possession of a bladed article charge relates to an incident in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, on 9 May.

The second affray charge relates to an incident in the same area on 7 May, while the outraging public decency charge relates to an incident in Cleeve on 25 October last year.

Hunt, of Claverham, Somerset spoke only to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a hearing at North Somerset Magistrates’ Court in Worle.

He did not enter any pleas to the four charges he faces.

Leanne Grover, prosecuting, told the court the offences related to incidents said to have taken place in Somerset.

Ms Grover said in October last year a member of the public reported to police being approached by a man wearing a “gimp suit”.

“The witness was with his friend and the defendant was seen grabbing his penis over the top of his clothing and he was wearing what is generally known as a gimp suit and the defendant had over his head a mask which was shiny in nature,” she said.

“Mr Hunt is gyrating against the floor and some of what happened is captured on mobile phones.”

Ms Grover said the further alleged incidents took place in May when female motorists saw a man in the street dressed in a black costume.

The fourth charge relates to a lock knife found in his vehicle after he was arrested, the court heard.

The prosecutor opposed bail and applied for the case to be transferred to Bristol Crown Court.

David Fanson, defending, did not apply for bail and Hunt was remanded into custody.

Marilyn Darg, presiding justice, committed the case to Bristol Crown Court and ordered Hunt to appear before a judge on 7 June.

“We believe our powers will be insufficient to deal with this so it will be transferred to Bristol Crown Court,” she said.

“These are matters being sent to the crown court for trial and therefore we are going to remand you into custody.”