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Shades of Kim Jong Il's funeral.
Parkinson's man arrested at cycling 'for not smiling'
By Guy Martin
August 09, 2012
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2118462_parkinsons_man_arrested_at_cycling_for_not_smiling
A PARKINSON'S sufferer who was arrested during the Olympic cycle races in Surrey has questioned why he was dragged to the ground for "not smiling".
Mark Worsfold, 54, was sat on a wall in Leatherhead as the riders approached at around 3pm on Saturday, July 28 - but officers decided his manner was a cause for concern, and he was hauled off to Reigate police station.
The martial arts instructor is now seeking a letter of exoneration from Surrey Police. The force has defended the officers' actions, explaining that they were worried about a "possible breach of the peace" and found knives on Mr Worsfold - although these turned out to be plastic and had been used for a martial arts demonstration at Red House Gardens earlier the same day.
Mr Worsfold had been invited to display at the council-run event and had started walking back to his car afterwards, to go to his daughter's ninth birthday party.
While on Bull Hill, he said he sat on a wall with others to avoid the crowds, watch the race and rest as his condition makes standing for prolonged periods painful.
Across the road from Mr Worsfold, fathers' rights campaigners were protesting against the family justice system.
He recalled: "One came to sit next to me. She was constantly on the phone and was being carefully monitored by the police.
"You can imagine my surprise when just as the racers were about to appear over the brow of the hill I had two policemen force me to the ground and read me my rights. Face down, I was restrained and handcuffed.
"I was arrested on 'suspicion of being about to cause a public order offence' or something like that."
Parkinson's man arrested at cycling 'for not smiling'
By Guy Martin
August 09, 2012
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2118462_parkinsons_man_arrested_at_cycling_for_not_smiling
A PARKINSON'S sufferer who was arrested during the Olympic cycle races in Surrey has questioned why he was dragged to the ground for "not smiling".
Mark Worsfold, 54, was sat on a wall in Leatherhead as the riders approached at around 3pm on Saturday, July 28 - but officers decided his manner was a cause for concern, and he was hauled off to Reigate police station.
The martial arts instructor is now seeking a letter of exoneration from Surrey Police. The force has defended the officers' actions, explaining that they were worried about a "possible breach of the peace" and found knives on Mr Worsfold - although these turned out to be plastic and had been used for a martial arts demonstration at Red House Gardens earlier the same day.
Mr Worsfold had been invited to display at the council-run event and had started walking back to his car afterwards, to go to his daughter's ninth birthday party.
While on Bull Hill, he said he sat on a wall with others to avoid the crowds, watch the race and rest as his condition makes standing for prolonged periods painful.
Across the road from Mr Worsfold, fathers' rights campaigners were protesting against the family justice system.
He recalled: "One came to sit next to me. She was constantly on the phone and was being carefully monitored by the police.
"You can imagine my surprise when just as the racers were about to appear over the brow of the hill I had two policemen force me to the ground and read me my rights. Face down, I was restrained and handcuffed.
"I was arrested on 'suspicion of being about to cause a public order offence' or something like that."
