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Boat Race protester found guilty (From This Is Local London)
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Boat Race protester found guilty
8:00am Saturday 29th September 2012 in News By Rachel Bishop
Guilty: Trenton Oldfield
The swimmer who interrupted the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race has been found guilty of causing a public nuisance.
Trenton Oldfield, 36, pleaded not guilty to the charge at Isleworth Crown Court this week, but did admit swimming into the path of the crews.
The Australian-born activist told a jury, who had not previously watched the race, that he carried out his actions because he was protesting “against elitism”.
Oldfield claimed he had made it “the most exciting boat race ever” – an assertion that brought laughter from the courtroom and a mocking reception from prosecution barrister, Louis Mably.
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Matthew Pinsent, who was assistant umpire of the race, wrote a statement that said: “If he had been hit by an oar or boat he could have cracked his skull, his neck, fallen unconscious and drowned."
However, there were indications Oldfield was not taking the allegations seriously. He said: “I don’t think I will be willing to rock the boat next year.”
Oldfield was found guilty of the charge on September 26. He will return for sentencing on October 19.
Comments(4)
Twickenham resident
says...
8:02pm Sat 29 Sep 12
Trenton Oldfield destroyed the dreams of those who had worked incredibly hard to take part in the boat race and that in itself demands redress.
Oldfield had a privileged schooling at a public school and is typical of so many “champagne socialists” . Why on earth he wants to try to make a name for himself against “elitism” is ridiculous.
Anyone who goes to Oxford or Cambridge has the potential to take part in the boat race. The reality is they have to put in hours and hours of hard work, training day after day after day after day..... That’s hardly elitist.
Oldfield needs to get over himself and perhaps he should return to his birthplace, Australia, as he obviously doesn’t like English tradition.
Twickenham Bob
says...
9:30am Sun 30 Sep 12
What he did was only an inconvenience, and I suspect that many who proffer fake concern over the risk he took to his life - would in fact would have love to have seen him killed by an oar.
The peaceful UK Uncut protests and how the police now employ bully-boy and intimidation tactics show how basic democratic rights have firstly never been truly established in the UK and are under threat in the present time.
Class and vested interest are two very powerful and at many times corrupting influences in British Politics.
jeremyhm
says...
12:43pm Sun 30 Sep 12
Culverin says...
5:41pm Sat 29 Sep 12