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CAUTION: Sparky the Clown
Clown arrested in circus clash
Paul Britton31/10/2005
A CIRCUS clown was arrested after a clash with animal rights protesters.
Stanley Thompson, 28, who performs as Sparky the Clown, became caught up in a row with demonstrators outside Peter Jolly's Circus, currently based in Blackrod, Bolton.
Activists with the Manchester Animal Protection group have targeted the family-run circus over its use of a performing Canadian bear.
When the protesters arrived to hand out leaflets, there was a row between the 15-strong group and two members of the circus staff.
A 34-year-old member of Manchester Animal Protection told police her camera was pushed into her face as she tried to take a photograph of Thompson, who was dressed in his clown's outfit.
She was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with a minor injury to her mouth and bruising.
Arrested
Thompson was arrested and released with a caution after he admitted common assault.
The woman, from Bury, who asked not to be named, told the M.E.N: "He just went for me. I had taken my camera out to take a photograph after the circus staff came out and began to threaten us."
A second man, aged 20, a general member of circus staff, was also arrested and later given an £80 fixed penalty notice after he admitted a public order offence.
Police said he "made an offensive gesture" to a member of the protesting group then flicked a cigarette butt into the gathering of 15.
The circus has attracted fierce criticism throughout its 35-year history for its use of live animals.
Protesters claim they always demonstrate peacefully.
But police have been called to deal with disturbances three times as the demonstrators have handed out leaflets before shows in Blackrod and Middleton.
Circus spokesman Chris Barltrop said: "It seems clear the camera was used in a deliberately provocative and aggressive way.
"The fact that the police simply cautioned him reflects the aggression involved.
"The circus is very good with its animals and people are entitled to their personal points of view, but this sort of thing occurs because of deliberate provocation."
The circus will remain in Bolton until the end of this week.
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