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Terminally-Ill Man Arrested After Mooning Speed Camera To Tick It Off Bucket List

Terminally-Ill Man Arrested After Mooning Speed Camera To Tick It Off Bucket List

Darrell Meekcom managed to tick mooning a speed camera off his bucket list last Friday, but police didn't see the funny side.

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A terminally-ill man was arrested after baring his rear at a speed camera - something he says was on his bucket list.

Darrell Meekcom, 55, had compiled a list of things he wants to do before he dies after being told last month that he had multiple system atrophy, a terminal condition that affects the nervous system.

With a bungee jump and parachuting also on the list, the retired university lecturer and former nurse managed to tick off mooning a speed camera last Friday when he showed his behind to a van in Kidderminster, Worcestershire.

However, the police officer failed to see the funny side of his stunt and contacted colleagues to report the 'indecent exposure'.

Just 20 minutes later, three police cars pulled up outside Meekcom's home and, when he refused to let them in, kicked down the garden gate and wrestled him to the ground to cuff him.

SWNS

In phone footage recorded by his wife Sarah, 36, dad-of-two Meekcom can be heard telling officers: "I'm terminally ill, I won't be able to breathe like this.

"This is ridiculous - I moonied a speed camera."

A female officer then replies: "Well that is a significant statement that you have just made to us."

Meekcom tried to explain that mooning a speed camera was on his bucket list, but he was eventually arrested and taken into custody.

He has since been released under investigation on suspicion of indecent exposure and dangerous driving.

Meekcom, who has Parkinson's Disease and heart and kidney problems, said he felt 'gobsmacked' that he was arrested for what he did.

"It is something I had always wanted to do because I'd been caught by them a couple of times for silly speeds like 35mph in a 30 zone and it always bugged me," he said.

"When I was given the diagnosis last month my wife suggested drawing up a bucket list and that was one of the items on there that I've now crossed off at some price."

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He had dropped his trousers at a mobile speed camera van outside of a Tesco Express while his wife went to buy some bread.

Meekcom continued: "I got out the car and flashed my bum. I pulled my trousers up and got back in the car. I didn't think anything of it.

"It was a good laugh. I came home and within 20 minutes there was a police van outside. They were banging on the window.

"Within another five minutes, three squad cars turned up. I said to my wife there's no way I'm going out there. I hadn't done anything wrong.

"I was too scared to go out. It was quite frightening really."

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Meekcom claims he suffered a blow to the head when six officers stormed his garden, and that his back gate was 'smashed' to pieces, while his front door was also damaged.

"My release from custody notice also says dangerous driving which is also ridiculous," he added.

"I drove off when the speed camera van started taking my details but I assure you there was nothing dangerous about it. It's honestly all just baffling."

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After being released from custody later that day, his vision was blurred and he also suffered two seizures.

Meekcom - who says the life expectancy following a diagnosis of MSA is around six years, although this varies from person to person - went to Kidderminster Hospital and was later referred to Worcestershire Royal Hospital due to fears he suffered a bleed to the brain.

He said: "I feel like I have been abused. It was outrageous bullying.

"They saw me as a big fellow. They maybe perceived me as a threat but because of my illnesses, a five-year-old child could knock me over.

"I have MSA, heart disease, kidney failure and Parkinson's Disease - I'm a threat to nobody. I use a wheelchair and need a zimmer frame to get out of bed.

"They could have killed me very easily and even when I calmly explained the situation they carried on restraining me and cuffing me from behind."

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Meekcom claims he 'did not resist arrest once' and feels the response was 'completely disproportionate in the circumstances'.

"I feel it was an abuse of police power and privilege," he added, saying he has also reported the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A West Mercia Police spokesperson said: "Around 1pm on Friday 5 November officers received a report of indecent exposure on Stourbridge Road.

"Officers attended and after a search of the area, located a person of interest in Coley Close.

"A 55-year-old man from Kidderminster was arrested on suspicion of public order offences and released on bail."

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: Police, UK News, News