Trial date set for Claverham man over incidents involving latex body suit
It follows a series of incidents involving someone wearing a black latex suit in public in North Somerset
A trial date has been set for a Claverham man who's accused of being the so-called 'Somerset gimp'.
It follows a series of incidents involving someone wearing a black latex suit in public in North Somerset.
31-year-old Joshua Hunt denies the two charged against him - after being accused of intentional harassment, alarm or distress under Section 4(a) of the Public Order Act.
Previous hearings heard female drivers reported seeing a man in a black costume in the Bleadon and Cleeve areas in May.
District Judge Angela Brereton, sitting at Taunton Deane Magistrates' Court, confirmed there will be a half day trial at Bristol Magistrates on October 27 following the incidents on May 7 and May 9 in the Bleadon and Cleeve areas of Somerset.
Hunt, of Claverham, Somerset, had been excused attendance at the case management hearing and was represented by his solicitor David Fanson.
He has been released on unconditional bail until his trial.
Last month, Hunt was made subject of an interim order placing restrictions on his alleged behaviour, which will expire in January 2024.
Under the terms of the order, Hunt is banned from wearing a mask or possessing one in a public place and wearing black all-in-one clothing at night in public.
He also must not "crawl, wriggle or writhe on the ground wearing a full-body covering or mask" or visit the areas where the offences are alleged to have taken place.
Read more: Claverham man appears in court over incidents involving latex body suit