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Judge: "Moustache must go"
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| Now you see it, but you soon won't - Charles Law outside court |
AN EDWARDIAN-STYLE dandy who assaulted a teenager when teased over his elaborate handlebar moustache has avoided community service by agreeing to shave it off.
Charles Law, 48, of Stratfield Road, Borehamwood, speaking after his appearance at St Albans Crown Court today, said: "I've had it since I was 22. It was up to 16 inches once, but I shaved it down a bit.
"It's a shame, but it has to go."
Law appeared in court in a brown sports jacket, bright red trousers, blue-and-white checked shirt, watch chain, and carefully folded red handkerchief.
The court heard how on Christmas Eve he had confronted a group of teenagers who had commented on his appearance as he was taking money from a cash point in his home town.
Reacting with a ferocity that belied his old-world appearance, he had kicked one, aged 13, in the leg.
Judge John Plumstead said: "He put them to flight by a show of force which convinced them he had a knife."
The court heard Law, who pleaded guilty to common assault, had been in trouble before with moustache-related incidents, with convictions for affray and threats.
Defence barrister Julia Flanagan insisted the moustache had not been to blame for his conviction for manslaughter in 2000, for which he was given a four-year prison sentence.
She said her client accepted he had a tendency to over-react to teasing, and had promised to shave his spectacular growth to avoid trouble.
Judge Plumstead, who said he was worried that community service would lead Law into further confrontations, said: "I have mixed feelings about his decision to give up
his moustache.
"It is plainly a matter of pride, and it must have taken a great deal of time and work to develop."
He told Law, a self-employed financial advisor, there was nothing wrong with his chosen appearance, but he should expect comment, and not over-react.
Giving him a conditional discharge, he warned him against re-offending, and ordered him to pay £75 each to three of the boys, who had been "shocked and frightened" by the incident.
What do you think? Should Law be punished or has justice been done?
1:00pm Thursday 11th October 2007
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CommentPosted by: David Chandler, Middlesbrough on 5:28pm Fri 12 Oct 07
I think it was incredibly unfair to force him to shave the moustache off. Of course he shouldn't have reacted how he did... but by specifying how he has to present himself is against one of his most basic rights.
Teenagers find fault with - and antagonise - EVERYONE, even their own peers. They are the ones who should be taught some respect.
I think it was incredibly unfair to force him to shave the moustache off. Of course he shouldn't have reacted how he did... but by specifying how he has to present himself is against one of his most basic rights.
Teenagers find fault with - and antagonise - EVERYONE, even their own peers. They are the ones who should be taught some respect.
Posted by: katie, st.albans on 8:43pm Fri 12 Oct 07
I don't know how you do things in Middlesborough, but in St. Albans you can't assault children for being a bit cheeky. Of coure he has the right to choose how he looks, but the main appeal of a handlebar moustache and associated silliness is to attract attention and comment. Mr Law should grow up, but is unlikely to learn his lesson if his only punishment is to have a shave.
I don't know how you do things in Middlesborough, but in St. Albans you can't assault children for being a bit cheeky. Of coure he has the right to choose how he looks, but the main appeal of a handlebar moustache and associated silliness is to attract attention and comment. Mr Law should grow up, but is unlikely to learn his lesson if his only punishment is to have a shave.
Posted by: ellen, california on 12:23am Sat 13 Oct 07
a man should never compromise his stache
a man should never compromise his stache
Posted by: Jacob, California on 12:25am Sat 13 Oct 07
Au Contraire, my dear. A moustache is a reflection of one's soul and should be fought for tooth and nail
Au Contraire, my dear. A moustache is a reflection of one's soul and should be fought for tooth and nail
Posted by: Richard, Spain on 9:55am Sun 14 Oct 07
I agree with David, in that teenagers find fault with everyone. I was once made fun of for standing back from the edge of St Albans platform as a train pulled in. Anyone is fair game. Imagine the insensitive comments that people with disabilities must have to put up with from juvenile louts.
I agree with David, in that teenagers find fault with everyone. I was once made fun of for standing back from the edge of St Albans platform as a train pulled in. Anyone is fair game. Imagine the insensitive comments that people with disabilities must have to put up with from juvenile louts.
Posted by: David Elledge, Denmark on 8:28pm Sun 14 Oct 07
It's only right that he was teased for being different and that he should pay money to those kids...what right does he have for being an indivdual and not like the rest of us.He should have kicked all of them.
It's only right that he was teased for being different and that he should pay money to those kids...what right does he have for being an indivdual and not like the rest of us.He should have kicked all of them.
Posted by: Gordon Sundog, West Midlands on 1:12pm Mon 15 Oct 07
[quote][bold]katie[/bold] wrote:
I don't know how you do things in Middlesborough, but in St. Albans you can't assault children for being a bit cheeky. Of coure he has the right to choose how he looks, but the main appeal of a handlebar moustache and associated silliness is to attract attention and comment. Mr Law should grow up, but is unlikely to learn his lesson if his only punishment is to have a shave. [/quote] Perhaps if more juveniles were 'assault[ed]for being a bit cheeky' the little **** might not be quite so cheeky in future.
Namby pamby reactions to what right minded people do only serve to further encourage the pathetic society engendered by that philosophy in the first place.
katie wrote:
I don't know how you do things in Middlesborough, but in St. Albans you can't assault children for being a bit cheeky. Of coure he has the right to choose how he looks, but the main appeal of a handlebar moustache and associated silliness is to attract attention and comment. Mr Law should grow up, but is unlikely to learn his lesson if his only punishment is to have a shave.
Perhaps if more juveniles were 'assaultfor being a bit cheeky' the little **** might not be quite so cheeky in future.
Namby pamby reactions to what right minded people do only serve to further encourage the pathetic society engendered by that philosophy in the first place.
Posted by: James on 4:30pm Mon 15 Oct 07
I dare say that a few comments about his appearance was probably an understatement and if he had commented on the kids baggy jeans he would have received a beating which would have got away with a verbal warning. Kids have a lack of respect now as they are immune to any consequences.
I dare say that a few comments about his appearance was probably an understatement and if he had commented on the kids baggy jeans he would have received a beating which would have got away with a verbal warning. Kids have a lack of respect now as they are immune to any consequences.
Posted by: Simon, High Wycombe on 3:45pm Tue 16 Oct 07
[quote]He put them to flight by a show of force which convinced them he had a knife.[/quote]
Sounds like the "cheeky scamps" were lying through their teeth and a credulous court have fallen for it.
What show of force is required to convince an assailant that you have a gun? If he dedicates himself to a life of training will his Ninja-level show of force convince them he has a tank?
Nonesense.
He put them to flight by a show of force which convinced them he had a knife.
Sounds like the "cheeky scamps" were lying through their teeth and a credulous court have fallen for it.
What show of force is required to convince an assailant that you have a gun? If he dedicates himself to a life of training will his Ninja-level show of force convince them he has a tank?
Nonesense.
Posted by: BOB, LONDON on 12:01am Sun 23 Mar 08
Give the chavs a slap i say
Give the chavs a slap i say
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