Parkinson’s sufferer arrested in Leatherhead for ‘not smiling’
A MAN arrested during the Olympic cycling road race says he was detained for "not smiling".
Martial arts trainer Mark Worsfold, 54, was arrested shortly before cyclists passed through Leatherhead on July 28 due to "his manner, his state of dress and his proximity to the course", according to police.
But Mr Worsfold, who had been doing a Taekwondo demonstration in Red House Gardens, said officers told him he was arrested because he was not smiling – and he added that his face can seem expressionless due to his Parkinson's disease.
"I was sitting minding my own business," he said. "Before I knew anything the police grabbed me off this seven-foot wall, threw me to the floor and cuffed me so all I saw of the cycle race was between the feet of people from the pavement."
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Mr Worsfold was detained for five hours, and his wife only found out where he was after reporting him missing when he did not turn up for his daughter's birthday party.
He told the Advertiser he now sees the funny side, but as he was wearing his logo on his uniform he worries it may affect his reputation and has asked for a letter of exoneration from police.
Surrey Police said Mr Worsfold, from Ockham, had a legal folding knife and several rubber knives on him, which they accept were used for his display, and the officers who made the arrest apologised to him.
Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens said: "In the interests of public safety, officers acted quickly and decisively based on the information available to them."
Comments
by ultimabear
Thursday, August 09 2012, 6:08PM
“You did all ready the whole of the article didn't you? You know the bit where it said he had a selection of knives on him? Admittedly only one was real. He was in a crowded area with families and children. I think it's a perfect reason for pre-emptive arrest. Would you have expected the police in America to have ignored the guy with a gun and gas mask going into cinema? It's easier to say sorry to someone for being overly cautious than saying sorry to all the possible victims and family of people he could have stabbed after the event.”
by chpmerlin
Thursday, August 09 2012, 12:22AM
“Of course he wasn't arrested for not smiling - but if they put that, more people will click on it as it seems more scandalous. Then, if more people click on it, more people are likely to click on the advertisements all over this page. Then, 'thisissurreytoday' not only gets more publicity, but also gets paid for the ad views. I don't know why he was arrested, but he wouldn't have been had the police not deemed it necessary for some reason or another. Come on, people. Let's use a bit of common sense here. We're not in Soviet Russia.”
by happycynic
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 6:31PM
“Who protects us from our protectors? I heard England has turned into a sorry corrupt police state not worth visiting anymore, but wow. What a bunch of facists.”
by Spaceghost
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 6:05PM
“When did the Brits create the Ministry of Pre-Crime? Man, us Americans are way behind.
Our police will usually just shoot you in the back of the head, all while you're handcuffed of course. Unless you're willing to grease a few palms, that is. Protect and serve, you know? Although, I think our groping, theft, and harassment measures at the TSA are unrivaled. Once we legalize full body cavity searches for everybody, we'll be #1 again.
Best of luck to Mr. Worsfold, really.”
by Spaceghost
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 5:51PM
“sdfg”
by feudal_serf
Wednesday, August 08 2012, 3:42PM
“Mr Worsfold was arrested not for something he did, not even for something he planned to do, but for a possibility imagined by someone else - and that based purely on his demeanour rather than hard evidence. How the hell can pre-emptive arrest be legal? In my opinion he should be slightly less understanding and sue the @rse off the police.”