A 59-year-old naturist cyclist who was assaulted during a charity ride has declared he is “not a pervert” and will continue participating in naked cycling events.
Robert Brown was knocked off his bicycle whilst taking part in a Four Seasons World Naked Bike Ride through Colchester, Essex, on August 9.
The website designer from Tendring sustained injuries to his hands, arms and legs when motorcyclist Lee Turnage, 46, punched him, causing him to tumble to the pavement.
Turnage, a binman, received a suspended prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court earlier this month after being convicted of causing actual bodily harm.
Mr Brown now depends on a walking stick for longer journeys and experiences difficulty bending his knee.
Despite the assault, the cyclist remains resolute about continuing his involvement in naked cycling events.
“If I don’t go on another ride then he’s won. It won’t stop me,” he declared.
The Tendring resident has practised naturism throughout his life and has taken part in charity rides internationally for 15 years.
A nude charity cyclist who was attacked on his bicycle has spoken out for the first time
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Mr Brown is the leader of the Clacton branch of the Four Seasons World Naked Bike Ride and an active in the Naturist Action Group, advocating for greater public acceptance of naturism.
He firmly rejected negative characterisations of naturists, insisting: “Unfortunately, these attacks are an occupational hazard but they shouldn’t be. We are not perverts.”
“Nudity anywhere in the UK, whether it is socially or private, is perfectly legal,” he continued.
The cyclist believes public perceptions of naturism must evolve, stating: “It takes the attitudes of a generation to change generational attitudes. Things are shifting but very slowly.”
‘Nudity anywhere in the UK, whether it is socially or private, is perfectly legal,’ Mr Brown insisted
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Mr Brown maintained increased naturist events will help normalise the practice, adding: “No child has ever been harmed by the sight of a naked body and never will.”
The legal framework in Britain protects naturists’ right to public nudity, with the College of Policing affirming their freedom of expression.
Criminal charges only apply when behaviour constitutes a sexual offence or is likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
The common law offence of outraging public decency requires conduct to be lewd, obscene or disgusting enough to shock observers.
To that end, the trial at Ipswich Crown Court marked a significant moment for naturist rights, with the presiding judge noting that the assault was particularly severe because Brown was naked at the time.
“My case is a first. It has set a legal precedent. Judges haven’t had another case to base their decisions on at crown court level and now they have,” Mr Brown explained.
British Naturism defines the practice as a “philosophical belief in a natural, naked lifestyle wherein persons espouse nudity as part or possibly all of their lifestyle.”
The assault of Mr Brown unfolded when Turnage passed the group of naked cyclists on his uninsured motorbike and hurled abuse.
Anticipating trouble, the naturist positioned himself in front of a deaf fellow cyclist to communicate through lip-reading that they should move to a layby.
“I heard him turn around and rev. Before I knew what had happened, I felt this almighty whack to the head,” Mr Brown recounted, adding: “I thought, ‘What am I doing down here’?”
The force of the punch sent Mr Brown tumbling from his e-bike onto the pavement as Turnage fled the scene.
Mr Brown later discovered his bicycle had sustained significant damage, with misaligned handlebars, broken rear brakes and a bent front wheel motor stem.