Man claims he’s been trapped in Tesco car park for four days in bizarre stand-off with police
A man claims he has been stuck in a Tesco car park for days and would be 'breaking the law' if he drove away from the site.
Maurice Kirk, 77, says he is trapped in the car park in Taunton, Somerset, explaining it would be 'illegal' for him to get in is vehicle and drive away.
His van and an attached horse box are parked near the entrance of the supermarket, with Kirk claiming he is trying to return to France.
He says he was told by police that it is illegal to drive in the UK with just his French driving licence, and says he could be arrested if he tries to drive away in the van.
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"I'm camping out of the van," he says.
"I'm here during the day and go to sleep in it at night. I've got a perfectly valid French licence. I spend most of my time in France and pop over to England to sort some things out.
"I could be arrested if I get into my vehicle and drive it again. I need to get to France, but I'm stuck because of this.
"I've been here for two or three days and nights. I'm stuck."
It's not the first time Kirk has found himself in a bizarre situation.
Known as The Flying Vet, the former vet has been involved in some narrow escapes over the years, including walking away from a plane crash less than two years ago.
Back in 2016, he went missing while trying to fly a 1940s plane across Africa. He was later discovered between Sudan and Ethiopia.
If that wasn't adventurous enough, he was arrested back in 2008 in the States after attempting to land his plane at George Bush's ranch in Texas while trying to fly solo around the world.
He said he wanted to "drop in" to thank the American President after US coastguards rescued him from shark infested waters.
Kirk was also accused of stalking Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow back in 2021.
He was found not guilty at trial, but was given a restraining order after the jury hears how Pow had received a letter from Kirk containing a white powder.
He later claimed this was 'toothpaste' and said he would appeal against the order.
Tesco has been contacted for comment.
Lucy Devine