Naked 'Born Free' singer in Londonderry court

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-foyle-west-33408953

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A 49-year-old man who sang 'Born Free' at Londonderry Magistrates Court has 'lost his freedom' after being remanded in custody.

Nicholas Roper, from Youghal, County Cork, was arrested in Altnagelvin Hospital on Saturday and was charged with committing disorderly behaviour.

On Monday, the court heard Mr Roper stripped naked in a police van and refused to come into the court room.

When the defendant finally appeared, he began singing and refused to stop.

Ignored questions

Mr Roper, who was dressed and handcuffed to a police sergeant during the hearing, ignored questions from the court clerk, from the sergeant and from the district judge.

The court was told that he refused to say if he was guilty or not guilty of committing disorderly behaviour in the hospital's accident and emergency department.

The judge said that as each defendant was entitled to the presumption of innocence, a not guilty plea would be entered on his behalf.

When asked if he wished to apply for bail, the defendant continued singing the title song of the 1966 film and again ignored the question.

The judge said he was not refusing bail, but he was remanding the defendant in custody because he had not applied for bail.

The court heard that after his arrest the defendant was clinically assessed by appropriate medical experts who said he was fit to appear in court.

The defendant was remanded in custody until 20 July.