JOSHUA HUNT AND SHOCKING INCIDENTS IN SOMERSET
Joshua Hunt, a 32-year-old self-employed gardener from Somerset, has been subjected to a stringent legal order following a series of disturbing incidents that have caused alarm among local residents and motorists.The court has banned Hunt from wearing any type of mask or face covering in public, unless for medical reasons, and has restricted his movements and behavior in public spaces for a period of five years.
This legal action was taken after Hunt was convicted just a week prior of two offences under the Public Order Act, which involved intentionally causing harassment, alarm, or distress to others.
The recent hearing at Bristol Magistrates' Court revealed details of a troubling pattern of behavior that has persisted since 2018, involving a man dressed in skin-tight, all-black clothing, often resembling a gimp suit, engaging in bizarre and unsettling acts in various remote locations across North Somerset.
One particularly alarming incident occurred in May this year in Bleadon, near Weston-super-Mare, where Hunt, dressed in an all-black gimp suit, terrified two female motorists.
Witnesses reported that the man was writhing on the ground and stepping out in front of moving vehicles, causing significant distress.
This was not an isolated event; multiple reports over the years have documented sightings of a figure in dark, form-fitting attire performing similar acts, including writhing on the ground and stepping into the path of cars.
In a previous incident in October of the previous year, witnesses observed a man wearing a gimp suit who was seen grabbing his genitals over his clothing and gyrating against the ground.
These incidents have been linked to Hunt, who has been associated with a total of 25 separate events, according to law enforcement officials.
Lawrence Wilcox, representing Avon and Somerset Police, explained that much of the evidence against Hunt is based on intelligence reports, with some incidents providing more specific details, all suggesting a pattern of behavior with sexual undertones.
During the hearing, Hunt’s defense attorney, Peter Richardson, acknowledged the seriousness of the application but stated that Hunt had taken a pragmatic approach to the proceedings.
The court ultimately imposed a sexual risk order that will last for five years, during which Hunt will also be required to register as a sex offender for the same duration.
The restrictions placed upon Hunt are comprehensive.
He is prohibited from wearing any mask or face covering in public, including in vehicles, unless legally or medically justified.
He is also barred from possessing any masks or face coverings in public spaces during nighttime hours, specifically between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Additionally, Hunt is forbidden from wearing or possessing full-body black garments or similar clothing that resembles a full-body covering, especially during the same nighttime hours.
Furthermore, Hunt is not allowed to crawl, wriggle, or writhe on the ground in public while wearing full-body coverings or masks.
The order also includes limitations on his use of computers and access to the internet, aimed at preventing further incidents.
District Judge Joanna Dickens emphasized the gravity of the order, stating, "I am satisfied that you have done a series of acts of a sexual nature.
I have been informed of what they are, and they certainly fall within the terms of the Act.
They are clearly acts of a sexual nature with a sexual element to them.
A sexual risk order is quite a serious order, and it has a lot of obligations of you, and if you breach this order, you can go to prison.
I only make an order if I think it is necessary to protect the public from you, and I do think it is necessary." During his arrest in May, Hunt denied owning or being in a gimp suit, claiming, "I am not a gimp, I do not own a gimp suit.
I am not dangerous, I am a normal person, I have got a few problems." He also admitted to researching online about the Somerset Gimp, who had been terrorizing people late at night since 2018.
Hunt’s history includes previous arrests on suspicion of causing public nuisance in areas such as Cleeve, Claverham, and Yatton, but insufficient evidence prevented further charges at that time.
The recent court ruling underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating these disturbing incidents, aiming to prevent any further distress or harm to the community.
