Man with Parkinson's Arrested for Not Smiling at Olympics

[PT Freakin' G]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...road-race.html

A father with Parkinson’s disease was arrested as he watched the Olympic cycling road race because he ‘failed to smile or look like he was enjoying himself’.

Mark Worsfold, a martial arts trainer and former soldier, claims that he was thrown to the floor and handcuffed just as cyclists passed by.
His worried wife Nicola only found out he was being held after she reported him missing when he did not turn up for their daughter’s ninth birthday party.

The 54-year-old had his fingerprints, DNA and mugshot taken before being questioned about why he did not appear to be enjoying the event on July 28.

Police said Mr Worsfold, who was held for over five hours, was arrested because of ‘his manner, his state of dress and his proximity to the course’.

A spokesman added that the arrest was necessary to avoid a breach of the peace because he was standing near a group of protesters.

But Mr Worsfold, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2010, said that one of the symptoms of the disease is muscle rigidity, which can cause his face to become expressionless and mask-like.

Mr Worsfold, who had stopped to watch the men’s road race in Leatherhead, Surrey, after holding a Taekwondo demonstration nearby, said officers told him he was being arrested and taken to Reigate police station because he was not smiling.

‘I was sitting minding my own business,’ he told a local newspaper. ‘Before I knew anything the police grabbed me off this seven-foot wall, threw me to the floor and cuffed me so all I saw of the cycle race was between the feet of people from the pavement.

‘It could have been done better. I was arrested for not smiling. I have Parkinson’s.’

Mr Worsfold, who lives in an £800,000 three-bedroom house in the picturesque village of Ockham near Woking, has since asked for a letter of exoneration from police.

Surrey Police said he was initially arrested on suspicion of a public order offence but was ‘given words of advice’ before being ‘released with no further action’.

A spokesman added that he was found to be in possession of a legal folding knife and several rubber knives which had been used for his Taekwondo demonstration.

The officers who made the arrest have apologised to him.

In a statement, the spokesman added: ‘He was positioned close to a group of protesters and based on his manner, his state of dress and his proximity to the course, officers made an arrest to prevent a possible breach of the peace.

‘There were a number of factors which led officers to make this arrest, including the fact the race was approaching, the heightened level of security due to the high profile nature of the event and the sheer number of spectators.’

The force has received a letter from Mr Worsfold in which he has said he ‘fully understands and appreciates the action taken by officers’, the spokesman said.

Last night, campaigners for Parkinson’s patients said it was an example of the ‘chronic misunderstandings’ those with the condition face.

Laura Bowey, of Parkinson’s UK, added: ‘Despite affecting more than 127,000 people in the UK, those with Parkinson’s are subject to chronic misunderstandings and misconceptions about the condition.

‘All too frequently people with Parkinson’s tell us how are they are accused of being drunk, or acting suspiciously as they go about their daily lives.

‘We hope that Mark’s experience will help to raise awareness of this distressing problem.’

[Swami]

That is beyond a joke, how could anyone be so insensitive?

Swami

[fireweaver]

Paranoia is the word of the day.

Here's a plan to keep this from happening in the future: Set up the sports arena in a secure location, such as a military base. The public never comes anywhere near the athletes, they only get to see them on TV. Most of the security problems go away.

[Emmerdalefan]

Shows that England is living in a police state and the police have turned into paranoid bullies who suspect anyone for breathing at the wrong time as having terrorist intent. It is a complete joke.

[Scarlett]

The gentleman should sue, he could make $$$$$ for his troubles.

[fireweaver]

Shows that England is living in a police state and the police have turned into paranoid bullies who suspect anyone for breathing at the wrong time as having terrorist intent. It is a complete joke.

It's no different from U.S. airports.

[ihtgb]

Are the Olympics being held in North Korea?

[fireweaver]

Are the Olympics being held in North Korea?

Can you EVER say anything that is actually related to the topic at hand?

[ihtgb]

Can you EVER say anything that is actually related to the topic at hand?

Giraffes are yellow

[Swami]

It's no different from U.S. airports.

Up to a point you can understand a certain degree of paranoia at airports - and at the end of the day, increased airport security is for keeps. But a case like this just makes you wonder what has happened to common sense.

Swami

[fireweaver]

Up to a point you can understand a certain degree of paranoia at airports - and at the end of the day, increased airport security is for keeps. But a case like this just makes you wonder what has happened to common sense.

Swami

You have to ask? It flew the coop a decade ago.

[CarlD]

Don't think ANYBODY is smiling at these HORRIBLE closing ceremonies.

HOLY CRAP !!

[PT Freakin' G]

I think they're just trying to remind the world that, while they didn't produce as many gold medalists as the US or China, their world-famous drugs produced some of the best performers: George Michael, Russell Brand, Kate Moss, et al.

[Emmerdalefan]

I put a lot of it down to 9/11. It seems to have increased paranoia everywhere.

[mztx71]

Well in the future, if he needs to look like he's having fun in public or face arrest then he should take some Class A's! LOL

Unbelievable!!!

[fireweaver]

That is beyond a joke, how could anyone be so insensitive?

Swami

This is the norm. If you have a non-obvious handicap (obvious == missing limbs, etc) don't count on any slack or understanding AT ALL from the general public.