Cleared, dying lecturer who ‘mooned’ at a speed camera
A TERMINALLY-ILL lecturer who was tackled by police after ‘mooning’ at a speed camera has been cleared.
Darrell Meekcom, 55, was detained in his back garden by officers shortly after he bared his backside at a mobile speed trap van last November.
The father of two, who has the nerve condition multiple system atrophy (MSA), had been arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and dangerous driving.
Yesterday he went on trial accused of obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty, and was cleared in just one day. Prosecutor Sarah Hurd told Redditch Magistrates’ Court that police went to Mr Meekcom’s home in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, where one officer said the defendant swore at him before singing Monty Python’s Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
Officers then forced their way in to the garden. Ms Hurd said: ‘He is not cooperating with his arms in allowing them to get a grip properly to allow them to apply handcuffs. ‘He is taken to the ground, it is then that Mr Meekcom informs them that he has some very serious health conditions. He is then led round to the front of the premises where the handcuffs are changed from the front to the back to help him breathe.’
Mr Meekcom said he had only six years to live, and had drawn up a ‘bucket list’ of things to do before he dies, including mooning at a speed camera.
But within 20 minutes of baring his backside outside a local Tesco Express, three police cars descended on his home after an officer manning the speed trap
‘He sung a Monty Python song’
reported the incident to colleagues. Justice Charles Townsend said police acted ‘lawfully’ but added that, given Mr Meekcom’s health, straining against the handcuffs was justified to help him breathe.
Mr Meekcom, who lives with his wife Sarah, 36, and their daughters, also has Parkinson’s and heart and kidney issues. He branded police ‘heavy-handed’ and guilty of ‘outrageous bullying’.
In police body- cam footage played to the court, he can be heard telling PC Gareth Jones: ‘I mooned a speed camera. I’m terminally ill. I’ve got Parkinson’s mate.’ The officer said: ‘He was singing to me, calling me names, commenting on my hair, making it difficult.’ West Mercia Police said it has received a complaint. Speaking after the case, Mr Meekcom said he was ‘extremely pleased’ at the verdict, adding: ‘The truth, like oil, comes to the surface.’ He said of the police’s action: ‘It was taking a mallet to smash an acorn. It was just a bunch of young kids – there was no leadership there.’