Former world heavyweight boxing champion Herbie Hide has appeared before magistrates, accused of punching a plain clothes police officer during a confrontation at his Norfolk home.
The Court Appearance and Charges
The 54-year-old ex-boxer, once known in the ring as the 'Dancing Destroyer', stood before Norwich Magistrates' Court charged with assaulting a constable in the execution of his duty. The incident is alleged to have occurred at his gated property in Norfolk.
When asked to enter a plea to the single charge, Hide responded emphatically: 'definitely not guilty'. He was granted unconditional bail and will stand trial at the same court on December 9.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The court heard that on July 3 last year, officers who were not in uniform and were travelling in an unmarked car entered the property. Prosecutors stated that after one officer returned to the vehicle, he was punched in the face by Hide.
It was alleged that the officer had not identified himself as a police constable. Addressing the magistrates directly, the former boxer gave his account, saying: 'A man who I didn't know came into my house speaking to my children.'
The Defence's Perspective
Hide's legal representative, Ian Fisher, urged the court to consider the situation from the defendant's point of view. He argued: 'Put yourselves in the shoes of any householder who might be somewhat unnerved by the presence of men who refused to say who they were or what they wanted.'
Magistrates apologised to both parties that the case could not be listed earlier, citing ongoing court backlogs as the reason for the delay.
From Nigeria to Norfolk and World Champion
Born Herbert Okechukwu Maduagwu in Nigeria in 1971, Hide moved to Norfolk as a child and grew up in the county. He rose to international fame, first winning the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) heavyweight title in 1994 by defeating Michael Bentt.
He reclaimed the title in 1997 with a victory over Tony Tucker. One of the most dramatic moments of his career came in 1998, when he defeated American challenger Damon Reed in less than a minute – a bout widely described at the time as the fastest-ever heavyweight title fight victory.
