‘The Somerset Gimp’ has been slapped with a sexual risk order (SRO) following his recent convictions and alleged links to 25 other similar crimes.
Joshua Hunt, 32, is prohibited from performing the ‘fetish’ in public through the strict order – which was imposed at Bristol Crown Court today (Friday).
Last week, he was convicted of two public order offences after ‘terrorising’ female motorists by jumping out in front of them in a pitch-black country lane in Bleadon, Somerset.
The defendant, of Brook Farm, Claverham, was wearing a black outfit and a homemade mask with eyes and a mouth he had drawn on with UV paint purchased on eBay.
Avon and Somerset Police asked the court to impose an SRO due to their suspicions the offending may be sexually motivated.
District Judge Joanna Dickens granted the application – making the order for five years.
“I am satisfied that you have done a series of acts of a sexual nature. I have been informed what they are, and they certainly fall within the terms of the Act”, she said.
Adding: “They are clearly acts of a sexual nature with a sexual element to them. A sexual risk order is quite a serious order and it has a lot of obligations of you and if you breach this order you can go to prison. I only make an order if I think it is necessary to protect the public from you and I do think it is necessary.”
A copy of the order – obtained from the court – included the following prohibitions:
• Crawling, wriggling or writhing on the ground in a public place whilst wearing a full-body covering, clothing that appears like a full body covering and/or mask/full face covering.
• Being in possession of any type of mask or face covering, including improvised masks or face coverings that cover all or part of the face, in a public place, including whilst in a vehicle in a public place, between the hours of 2100 and 0600 unless officially required for medical purposes or by law.
• Wearing or being in possession of black all-in-one garments or any combination of full-length black coloured top and black coloured bottom clothing which has the appearance of an all-in-one garment, in a public place, including in a vehicle in a public place between the hours of 2100 and 0600.
Several other restrictions related to Hunt’s computer use. For example, he is prohibited from deleting his search history and must register all digital devices with the police.
