A British man who streaked for a dare at the opening game of the Cricket World Cup has been fined $750 for his "once in a lifetime" stunt.
Joseph Brook, 23, appeared before Judge Mark Callaghan in Queenstown District Court charged with invading the pitch of a major sporting event, on February 14.
Brook attended the opening match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch and streaked naked at 6.50pm at the end of the game.
The match was attended by a crowd of around 15,000 and broadcast internationally to millions of cricket fans. The streaking was not broadcast live.
Brook told police it was-
“One of those once in a lifetime things.”
Judge Callaghan said the match was attended by families. Brook had immediately regretted his actions and wrote a letter of apology to the International Cricket Council (ICC), the judge said.
“
You admitted you did this as a dare. Your actions detracted from what was a major event internationally and a showpiece for New Zealand.
”
In his letter to the ICC, Brook described his actions as idiotic, apologised for offensiveness and causing disruption and said he was utterly embarrassed, humiliated and ashamed.
His lawyer Tanya Surrey said the streaking was an error of judgment by someone under the influence of alcohol.
“It was just a stupid moment of tomfoolery.”
-she said.
Diversion was not offered due to an agreement between the council and the New Zealand police.
More: Read about The First English Streaker who appeared during the Lord's Test match in 1975.
Source : Stuff