Ian Corrigible
9th Aug 2005, 13:57
Or “Egg-whisk maniac boils over at egg beaters.” (Take your pick – I’m going to go and sit down now...)
:E
French pensioner shoots at siesta-busting helicopters
AFP August 9th 2005
An 81-year-old Frenchman who blasted buckshot at fire-fighting helicopters because they were disturbing his afternoon nap was convicted by a court here and had his small home arsenal confiscated.
David Thiel was given a suspended one-year jail sentence Monday for shooting at helicopters flying low over his home to drop water on a fire threatening the southern town of Grasse on July 21.
Police were directed to the retired gardener by his neighbours, who had already been yelled at for using a lawn-mower.
When officers arrived, Thiel addressed a stream of insults at them before going inside to get one of his guns.
A struggle ensued, with police only disarming the octogenarian after receiving several blows from saucepans. They confiscated 15 hunting rifles from his home.
The judge found Thiel guilty of weapons charges and resisting arrest.
While noting that the helicopters were out of range of the shots fired, the judge told the irascible old-timer that "one should not shoot at water-bombing helicopters as if they were wild ducks."
I/C
:E
French pensioner shoots at siesta-busting helicopters
AFP August 9th 2005
An 81-year-old Frenchman who blasted buckshot at fire-fighting helicopters because they were disturbing his afternoon nap was convicted by a court here and had his small home arsenal confiscated.
David Thiel was given a suspended one-year jail sentence Monday for shooting at helicopters flying low over his home to drop water on a fire threatening the southern town of Grasse on July 21.
Police were directed to the retired gardener by his neighbours, who had already been yelled at for using a lawn-mower.
When officers arrived, Thiel addressed a stream of insults at them before going inside to get one of his guns.
A struggle ensued, with police only disarming the octogenarian after receiving several blows from saucepans. They confiscated 15 hunting rifles from his home.
The judge found Thiel guilty of weapons charges and resisting arrest.
While noting that the helicopters were out of range of the shots fired, the judge told the irascible old-timer that "one should not shoot at water-bombing helicopters as if they were wild ducks."
I/C