Somerset gardener banned from 'wriggling' in gimp suit

Joshua Hunt has been handed a sexual harm risk order

A gardener who "terrified" women in a Somerset village has been banned from writhing on the floor in an all-black bodysuit in public.

Joshua Hunt, 32, was found guilty last week of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress to his victims.

He has now been handed a sexual harm risk order, which prevents him from wearing any type of mask unless for medical reasons.

The order will be in place for five years.

Last week's trial heard how Hunt, from Claverham, had scared two female motorists in May, while dressed in an all-black "gimp suit" in the village of Bleadon.

One victim said she initially thought she could be abducted, and was left "terrified" by the incident.

The sexual harm risk order is in place for five years

Imposing the sexual harm risk order at Bristol Magistrates' Court earlier, District Judge Joanna Dickens said: "[The incidents] 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," she continued.

Among the restrictions imposed, Hunt is now banned from:

• Being in possession of any type of mask or face covering in a public place, including whilst in a vehicle in a public place, between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00 unless officially required for medical purposes or by law.

• Wearing or being in possession of black all-in-one garments in a public place, including in a vehicle in a public place between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00.

• 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.

Restrictions have also been placed upon Hunt's computer use and access of the internet.

Face masks with neon white paint drawn on were found in Hunt's van

Peter Richardson, defending, said Hunt had taken a "pragmatic and practical approach" to the application for the sexual risk order.

"We are not contesting the application but that is not the same as agreeing with everything that is set out," he said.

Hunt will be on the sex offenders' register while his sexual harm risk order is in place.

After his conviction, Hunt was fined £100 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to each of his victims and £620 prosecution costs.