The man accused of being the Somerset Gimp must not “crawl, wriggle or writhe on the ground”, a court has ruled.

Joshua Hunt, 32, appeared at Taunton Deane Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with offences relating to someone wearing a black gimp suit.

The court had heard reports of a man “wearing a full-body covering or mask” who would unsettle locals after appearing in the Bleadon and Cleeve areas of Somerset.

Female motorists driving at night reported two sightings to police, one on May 7 and another on May 9.

Mr Hunt was arrested on May 9 and charged twice for intentional harassment, alarm or distress under Section 4(a) of the Public Order Act relating to the two alleged incidents.

Mr Hunt, of Claverham, Somerset, formally denied his charges in court this morning via his solicitor, David Fanson.

He was excused attendance at the case management hearing by Judge Angela Brereton, who ordered a trial date of October 27 this year.

Judge Brereton released Mr Hunt on unconditional bail until the trial and remains bound by an interim order set in July.

He has been ordered not to wriggle on the ground while he awaits the half-day trial.

The order, which is due to expire in January 2024, bans the defendant from wearing a mask or possessing one in a public place and wearing black all-in-one clothing at night in public.

The order adds that he must not “crawl, wriggle or writhe on the ground wearing a full-body covering or mask”.

While on bail, he is also banned from visiting areas where the offences are alleged to have taken place.

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