Naturist Assaulted During Charity Ride in Essex
A dedicated naturist who was violently punched from his bicycle during a charity event has spoken out about the attack, revealing he was mistaken for a 'pervert' but remains determined to continue cycling nude. Robert Brown, 59, was participating in the Four Seasons World Naked Bike Ride through Colchester, Essex on August 9 when the assault occurred, leaving him with injuries that now require him to use a walking stick for longer distances.
Legal Precedent Set in Court Case
Earlier this month, 46-year-old binman Lee Turnage received a suspended prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court after admitting to causing actual bodily harm. The court heard how Turnage, riding an uninsured motorbike, made a 'filthy' gesture before circling back and delivering what Brown described as an 'almighty whack to the head' that sent him tumbling onto the pavement.
Brown, a website designer from Tendring who has participated in naked charity rides for 15 years, suffered grazing to his hands, arms and legs. Medical scans confirmed no broken bones, but doctors advised it would take two to three months for swelling in his left leg to subside. 'I do find it very hard,' Brown explained. 'If I drop something, I can't bend my knee to pick it up.'
Changing Public Perception of Naturism
The experienced naturist, who serves as a ride leader for the Clacton division of the Four Seasons World Naked Bike Ride, emphasised that the incident won't deter him from future participation. 'If I don't go on another ride then he's won. It won't stop me,' Brown stated firmly. He believes public education is crucial to understanding that naturism in public spaces is not illegal in the UK when conducted appropriately.
According to the College of Policing guidelines referenced by Brown, naturists have a right to freedom of expression. The common law offence of outraging public decency only applies when behaviour is lewd, obscene or disgusting enough to shock. Importantly, the guidelines state that 'a naturist whose intention is limited to going about their lawful business while naked will not be guilty of sexual offences.'
Brown, who has been a naturist 'all his life' and participates in charity rides globally, explained his perspective: 'It takes the attitudes of a generation to change generational attitudes. Things are shifting but very slowly. To change people's opinion and improve the perception of naturism, we need to have more events like this so it becomes the norm and acceptable.'
The Growing Naturist Movement in Britain
The attack comes amid growing participation in naturist activities across the country. A 2022 survey commissioned by British Naturism estimated there are approximately 6.7 million naturists in the UK. British Naturism defines the philosophy as a 'belief in a natural, naked lifestyle wherein persons espouse nudity as part or possibly all of their lifestyle.'
Brown noted an interesting observation from his years of organising rides: 'Most of the general public who turn up to see our bike rides push their kids to the front and we see them waving and cheering. We quite often find that having a naked female in our group tends to pacify people - it's when we just have men that we get the comments of 'paedo' or 'pervert'.'
Addressing concerns about children witnessing the events, Brown was unequivocal: 'No child has ever been harmed by the sight of a naked body and never will. We just hope to change people's mindset.'
The Four Seasons group has established its own investigation unit to help identify offenders and pass information to police. Brown acknowledged that 'unfortunately, these attacks are an occupational hazard but they shouldn't be. We are not perverts.'
Despite the physical challenges he now faces, Brown attended court for Turnage's trial and expressed satisfaction with how the legal system handled the case. He noted that the judge specifically commented that the assault was more severe because Brown was naked at the time, establishing what Brown believes is a legal precedent for future cases involving attacks on naturists.
