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For Some Reason, A Spectator Tried To Enter Closed Isle of Man TT Course
Held since 1907, the Isle of Man TT is one of the few—and most famous—road races still held on public roads. The streets of the hallowed 37.73-mile course on the Isle of Man are closed to pedestrians and consequences for breaking those rules are vast, as one man found out earlier this week.
James Ford, a 67-year-old man from Bingley in Yorkshire, was jailed earlier this week in Douglas after deciding to enter the TT course, causing Monday’s qualifying session to be delayed. Ford was sentenced to four weeks in jail and given a five-year banning order from entering the Isle of Man.
From BBC News:
Prosecution advocate Mike Jelski told the court how Ford became "aggressive and belligerent" towards marshals just before 18:00 BST when they asked him to move from a gateway.
Staff rang clerk of the course Gary Thompson, who spoke to Ford before being told, "I'm not moving. If you send police, you'd better make sure they're big lads."
The situation caused qualifying to be delayed for 80 riders at the start line for about 20 minutes.
Sergeant Andrew Reed said to BBC News: "To suddenly come on to a pedestrian walking along the road would have catastrophic outcomes, not only for the person illegally on closed roads and the rider, but for other spectators."
Yeah, I don’t think I’d be going anywhere near the road when riders are going this fast. You'd have a lot more to worry about than a couple of big lads! Check it out: