Mark Worsfold, 54, says he was handcuffed by Surrey police officers ‘for not smiling’ while watching men’s cycling road race
The London 2012 men’s cycling road race was watched by thousands of spectators who lined the route from central London to Box Hill in Surrey. Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images
– Olympics spectator with Parkinson’s wants ‘exoneration’ after arrest (Guardian, Aug 8, 2012):
A man with Parkinson’s disease who was arrested during the Olympic men’s cycling road race while sitting beside the route has said he wants a “letter of exoneration” from Surrey police, claiming their treatment of him was disproportionate.
Mark Worsfold, 54, a former soldier and martial arts instructor, was arrested on 28 July for a breach of the peace shortly before the cyclists arrived in Redhouse Park, Leatherhead, where he had sat down on a wall to watch the race. Officers from Surrey police restrained and handcuffed him and took him to Reigate police station, saying his behaviour had “caused concern”.