Bagpipe arrested for 'distressing' music

britexpat
By britexpat

That poor wee haggis, squeezed and prodded to make that awful nois.......................

A busker was arrested because his bagpipes were a "distress" to shoppers.

Police told Shaun Cartwright, 38, his piping had annoyed members of the public and detained him for a breach of the peace.

His bagpipes were seized as he was handcuffed and driven to a police station, although he was later released and told it was not in the public interest to press charges.

Mr Cartwright, who has been playing bagpipes for more than 25 years, was busking in Bridport, Dorset, when he was arrested.

He said: "I'd been playing for almost an hour outside Superdrug on the main street and had made about 50 pounds, so it clearly wasn't causing that much offence.

"But a shopkeeper called the police and two officers turned up saying they had a complaint and they had to respond to it.

"They asked me to move on but I wanted to finish my hour of playing and put the blow stick to my mouth and that was it.

Mr Cartwright, from Bristol, was released after an hour. He was told the case was not being taken any further when he answered his bail five days later.

By tubelight• 22 Dec 2008 08:36
Rating: 4/5
tubelight

hmm, i would not have called the police but bagpipe music played for over an hour can be distressing.

there used to be a busker in marble arch tube station who used to play simon and garunkel on violin. we used to miss our tube to listen to the music which was depressing but very nice

By anonymous• 22 Dec 2008 08:04
anonymous

I like to know the nationality of the person who made the call....

By Harry99• 22 Dec 2008 07:52
Harry99

Don't blame them.. Why do they call it a musical intrument ??

By mjamille28• 22 Dec 2008 07:45
mjamille28

lol,.. breach of peace eh.... :P

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