Race fan jailed for stopping TT practice

James Ford, from Bingley in Yorkshire, was seen on the road at Crosby during TT practice, causing the session to be halted while 80 riders lined up to practice. The 67-year-old pleaded guilty to obstructing the conduct of a race and failing to comply with the instruction of a marshal. Ford was sentenced to four weeks in prison. The prosecution said that he had become “aggressive and belligerent” when asked to move from a gateway. The marshals contacted the clerk of the course, Gary Thompson, who spoke to the spectator. Ford is reported as saying: “I’m not moving, if you send police make sure they’re big lads.” Ford will spend his time in the 144-capacity medium-security Jurby prison.