A NATURIST who cycled naked along a south coast seafront last summer has appeared in court charged with causing harassment, alarm or distress.

Electrical engineer Richard Collins, 54, from Hardwick, Cambridge, denies committing a public order offence during his nude seven-mile cycle from a friend’s home in Bournemouth to Sandbanks on June 30.

The court heard how one woman had been alarmed after spotting Collins. He was also seen by pensioners and a young mother with small children who contacted police.

Collins told police he had been a naturist for the past 30 years, the court heard, and had organised naked picnics in London’s Hyde Park.

He added: “I’ve always been one to want to push the boundaries; I don’t want to be stuck behind high hedges and fences.

“Nudity seems to be absolutely fine in Cambridge. I’ve been naked in pubs and pub gardens without any problem. There’s nearly always a positive reaction from the public. I didn’t anticipate any adverse response.

“My intention was to go to the naturist beach and spend the day there. Instead I spent 12 hours in a police cell.”

Proceeding