Asbo threat for Kelly egg attacker

July 25, 2006

| Submit Comments | Comments (21) | Previous | Next

Michael Downes

A FATHER'S rights campaigner who pelted government minister Ruth Kelly with eggs could be made the subject of an anti social behaviour order today.

Michael Downes, 43, of Wythenshawe, this morning admitted hitting the then Secretary of State for Education with eggs when she appeared at a previous court case at Salford Magistrates' Court.

Downes, who is a member of Real Fathers 4 Justice - a splinter group of the original Fathers 4 Justice - had pleaded not guilty to the charge meaning that the Bolton West MP had to attend court today.

The Minister for Women arrived at the Sale court at around 9am this morning.

More than 12 police were surrounding the building and another five were helping with security at the entrance.

Prosecutor John Perris said they would be applying for an Asbo to stop Downes carrying out his protest.

He detailed a catalogue of convictions for Downes as the basis for the order.

These included public order offences ranging from pelting the Prime Minister's car with eggs in Oldham in May, 2005 to climbing on the roof of Manchester Crown Court in July, 2005 dressed as Batman, climbing on a gantry over the M4 motorway near Bristol in August, 2005 and letting off fireworks outside the Big Brother house at Elstree in October, 2005 and climbing on the big wheel in Manchester dressed as Santa Claus also in October last year.

Checked

Downes' latest stunt involved sealing the doors and locks of Trafford Town Hall in May this year.

Detailing the attack on Ms Kelly, Mr Perris said that Downes had thrown the eggs as the then Education Secretary emerged from Salford Magistrates' Court on February 6 this year.

He said police had checked the square very thoroughly but Downes had emerged from a snack bar.

"He approached the Secretary of State and struck her on top of the head with an egg.

"He had a number of other eggs, I'm not sure how many exactly were then thrown at her."

Mr Perris said when Downes was searched they found he was in possession of another two whole eggs and a number of other eggs which had broken.

He said Downes was then arrested and taken to the police station where he was interviewed.

Mr Downes' defence team said this morning they knew nothing of the application for an Asbo and requested a short adjournment to decide how to proceed.

| Submit Comments | Comments (21) | Previous | Next

Showing comments 1 to 21 and replies | View All

Tony Mozzerella, Manchester (25/07/2006 at 13:16)

Maybe Ms Kelly should have led by example and forgiven. Ha!

Paul, Manchester (25/07/2006 at 13:27)

Oh no, not an ASBO! Bet this guy's quaking in his boots!

Anon, Canada (25/07/2006 at 13:58)

Was he just "yolking" or did he have a valid "eggscuse?"

David, salford (25/07/2006 at 14:24)

He is just an attention seeker not worth commenting on.

Dawn, Manchester (25/07/2006 at 15:01)

Another case of chavsville mentality ! It's a pity that this chap didn't have anything more constructive to do with his time. And at his age what example is this setting to today's youth?!

Dave, Cheshire (25/07/2006 at 15:47)

It is a pity that people do not find out the real reasons why he did it rather than just post snide or stupid comments.

Good luck Mike & partner. Those who are aware of what you have been through and why you do it, salute you both.

James, Mystic CT USA (25/07/2006 at 15:51)

REAL Men 4 justice is not an appropriate name for this group. Can anybody come up with a name that works.
Come you lot give us a laugh
I miss that northern humour.

John, Columbus Ohio, USA (25/07/2006 at 15:53)

Are you people totally ignorant? Do you think that if this man had any other recourse he would have taken it? His actions were signs of desperation. What would you do if your children were taken from you for no reason and all other efforts had failed? If he was a mom he would be hailed as a hero. Mr. Downes, you are MY hero.

x, planet x (25/07/2006 at 16:44)

I'm not condoning assaults such as this but I share the man's frustration at our tights of protest and demonstration being curtailed.

Any chance that comments to at least one article will not contain the words 'chav' or 'scum'? No, didn't think so.

CommonSense, Manchester (25/07/2006 at 16:51)

I fail to see how this person and his egg throwing will lend any credence to justice for fathers. All I see is real fathers for justice always being arrested - hmm fine example of father hood.

karen Jamieson, Manchester (25/07/2006 at 20:52)

Well done Real Fathers For Justice. Keep up the good work campaigning for all the good dads, grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, siblings and more importantly, the children who do not have a voice in the atrocious secret Family Law Courts in this Country. It is time for this Government to accept responsiblity for all the injustices within their Family Courts done every single day. Good luck. You will always have our support.

Don, the 14%er, Sherman, Texas, USA (25/07/2006 at 21:35)

In Spanish, the word for eggs is huevos, which is also slang for testicular fortitude.
Michael Downes has done much to bring attention to the fact that kids need their dads. His efforts have ranged from climbing on the roof of Manchester Crown Court dressed as Batman, climbing on a gantry over the M4 motorway near Bristol, letting off fireworks outside the Big Brother house at Elstree, climbing on the big wheel in Manchester dressed as Santa Claus, and pelting the Prime Minister's car with eggs.
Michael Downes has plenty of huevos. I wish to thank him for helping the world understand, "Kids need both parents."
My son thanks him too.

Paul, San Jose, California (26/07/2006 at 04:50)

We are with you my brother. The ridiculous Family Courts are horrible. I hear they are worse in England than in the states. These courts don't solve problems - they create them for a profit!!

des, manchester (26/07/2006 at 08:55)

he should bean made an eggsample of i reckon, hes a bit of a blck pudding, and i bet he could of got away with it if he'd have had a good eggscuse

x, planet x (26/07/2006 at 12:01)

Commonsense - does be a fine, upstanding father assure that you will be given fair access to your children? Did Emmeline Pankhurst get the vote for women through servitude, modesty and not back-chatting menfolk? Perhaps you should question why people have to take such extreme measures to bring attention to worthy causes. We are a nation of whinging, apathists who, on the whole, lack empathy.

Colin W, Stockholm (26/07/2006 at 13:16)

good work man, keep it up

Jim Bailey, New Zealand (26/07/2006 at 18:35)

Great to see brave FATHERS at work standing for the value of the *Whole-NATURAL-Biological-FAMILY**.

Onward - Jim
www.HandsOnEqualParent.org.nz

Robert Gartner, Houston, Texas USA (27/07/2006 at 14:46)

Ruth Kelly, instead of trying to heap an 'asbo' upon Michael Downes, ought to realize the true significance of that egg on the face. The egg is the symbol of the decades of destruction of parents, family, and outright child abuse done by the government. Ms. Kelly should instead ask for an asbo to bring her to the consciousness and to action on behalf of the lives her affiliation has wrought. While I still draw breath, count me as another 'Michael Downes'. The world needs more heros like him.

A woman fighting for fathers' rights, Earth (27/07/2006 at 16:30)

An egg smashed on the head may have been a bit much; it may have hurt the woman. But I would guess it's her credibility that's been hurt most. One has to ask...why this woman? What is it about her that has fathers in such an uproar?

Then one must ask...why are fathers worldwide doing these types of actions? This is not an isolated incident, not by a longshot. Fathers in many countries are denied equal rights, civil rights, human rights and due process while involved with the family courts.

Personally, I'm glad to see fathers who care about their children to this extent. If they gave up, as some seem to think they should, they'd then be called deadbeats. Is that what we want? I know I don't.

I'll stand with these men as long as it takes to give them back to their children. The children deserve nothing less.

"Which feminist along the way forgot to read the manual? feminist4fathers.mensnewsdaily.com "Children deserve fully functioning, natural, loving, dedicated relationships with both of their parents, equally, in and out of marriage, whenever possible. Shared parenting works." www.sharedparentingworks.org

Steve, Manchester (21/08/2006 at 17:09)

What a bunch of complete and utter muppets. What a waste of tax payers money having to have the Police deal with these idiots. As we have now learnt in the newspapers and television the 'Real F4J' were planning an attack on tv antennaes and transmitters. Maybe not such a bad thing if we don't have to see them get the publicity they so obviously crave. Sad. Has anyone thought that there may actually be a reason why these men aren't allowed to see their kids????

Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (23/08/2006 at 16:02)

Is causing someone to suffer with a sore scalp through an egg attack reasonable behaviour in order to make a point and get what you want? Especially if you see the example it sets to the children that violence and assault causing pain that such things are acceptable.

()

Report

News