Leaky roof leads to death threats and hunger strike

[Bob]

When biker Oliver Wilkinson fulfilled his dream to own a £15,500 Harley-Davidson, he had to store it in a garage rented from the local Plymouth council. And this is where things went downhill.

Mr Wilkinson was convinced the council was failing to keep his garage dry and his dream machine was rusting. His wife said the bike had suffered damage costing £10,500.

Plymouth magistrates heard how Mr Wilkinson threatened to lay siege to and blockade the Civic Centre because council officials refused to repair his 'leaking' rented garage. Wilkinson admitted 'losing his rag' and making a threat to council staff, saying he returned home only to be arrested by police in riot gear.

Wilkinson pleaded guilty to making threats to kill and also pleaded guilty to breaching a conditional discharge, imposed for a similar offence involving a four-hour 'siege' outside an Exeter motorcycle shop last year when he locked himself in a car and threatened to harm himself with a penknife.

Wilkinson was sent to Exeter Prison for 148 days, where Mr Wilkinson immediately went on hunger strike. But following visits from the local Harley group, he has begun eating again.

The Wilkinsons are now looking for a lawyer to take on an appeal against the sentence.

[Gremlin]

All that over a harley??? *Ducks for cover* For about a third, he could have got a zx6r

Based on his previous "events" I think he sounds a little off the wall. Maybe he really wants attention.

[Bob]

Just had a quick search... and found I reported his previous insanity last year:

This link should show you the previous report . He clearly has real problems with rust...

I'm amazed he only got 148 days. I think they've asked for psychiatric (sp?) assessment. If they have, I wouldn't mind betting he is given one of those jackets with the buttons up the back...

[Gremlin]

link works fine.

if he parked his car in the entrance, screw negotiating, just get a towie to haul the vehicle out of the way, and he can step out when he wants to.

If he really loved his bike he should have got a cover, but from posts from other members, I think stuff like chrome will always try to rust and you have to look after it. Only pictures would show the real story I suppose.

Its kinda like the people that buy my dad's houses. They think they don't have to do anything for years, then get upset when a little problem turns into a big one that was easily preventable. He's even been called out for "lights not working" (broken light bulb)

[Lou Girardin]

I'm surprised that no-one told him about Harley's "Bike Bubble". An inflatable, climate controlled enclosure for your pride and joy.

[Gremlin]

I'm surprised that no-one told him about Harley's "Bike Bubble". An inflatable, climate controlled enclosure for your pride and joy.

please tell me you are not yanking my chain??

[Bob]

Your chain, she is not being yanked.

I remember seeing one on display when I went to Daytona - big, inflatable clear bubble thing that your bike goes inside.

Not sure how you get the bike inside in the first place, mind.

If I can find a photo (I'm pretty sure I have one at home)... and I can work out how to upload it... I'll see about putting it up.

Of course, given the size of the average council lock-up garage, there is a good chance the bubble would not have fitted inside...