'St Trinians' Man 'Broke Asbo'

A cross-dressing 60-year-old was sent to stand trial today charged with breaching an Asbo which bans him from wearing schoolgirl clothes.

Peter Trigger, from Northampton, was given the five-year Asbo in 2008 after waiting near a primary school dressed as a 'Britney Spear's style' schoolgirl.

The man was banned from wearing skirts or showing bare legs on school days but has been found guilty of breaching these conditions.

Northampton Magistrates' Court heard that he breached the terms of his Asbo by allegedly upsetting his neighbours - deliberately bending over in front of them early in the morning on December 16 last year.

Trigger previously faced three charges of breaching the order but two have since been discontinued.

Jerena Tomaszewska, prosecuting, said Trigger was seen outside his house at 7.25am that day by neighbours Philip and Mary Copping.

"It is the Crown's case that, very early in the morning, the defendant left his home wearing a skirt. Underneath that skirt was trousers or black leggings. He went towards the witnesses' van which was parked outside his address.

"He stood by the van with his back to it. He bent down and was appearing to be doing something with his laces. On this occasion he repeatedly bent down. This repeated action continued until Mr and Mrs Copping drove off."

Miss Tomaszewska said that, although Trigger was permitted to wear a skirt at that time of day, he had breached the second part of his Asbo by causing both Mr and Mrs Copping harassment, alarm and distress.

Mrs Copping told the court she thought Trigger had bare legs that day, and was wearing a pleated skirt to his mid-thigh, with socks and shoes.

Mr Trigger's order runs until December 2013.

(LB/BMcC)