In defence of the tools of my trade.

This project is documentation of my struggle to be a travelling
trades person.

In the United Kingdom it is unlawful to have a bladed article in
a public place without good reason.

Last September 2000 I was stopped, questioned and searched at
Gatwick airport as I walked in from the railway station to the
main concourse by three armed police officers.

I had noticed them as I walked past them and overheard one say
"We have got one".

I was at Gatwick on my way to Texas where I would make
presentations and teach at workshops regarding low power FM
broadcasts. I had no bag with me as usual, but had a multi tool
and a small lock knife, both on my belt.

The police offered me the chance to surrender my tools inorder to
remain at liberty. I declined and was arrested.

I was taken to Crawley police station where I was detained for
over eight hours and subject to finger printing, DNA sampling and
strip search.

I was eventually charged with possession of bladed or pointed
articles and bailed to appear in court the following week.

I missed my flight to Texas and lost my potential earnings.

Over subsequent weeks I attended court in Crawley over five
times, until the Crown Prosecution Service decided that it was
not in the public interest to prosecute me. They basically lost
their nerve when I elected to be tried by a jury in a crown
court.

The case was dropped as I had good reason to have the tools on my
possession.

In October 2001 I was on my way to Croatia from Bristol to teach
at Art Servers Unlimited.

On the way I had to go to Dock lands for maintenance on the
irational server and also to Croydon to attend an interview with
my wife at the Home Office Immigration Department. On entry to
the building during a routine security search a small lock knife
was found in my wife's bag. When asked the reason for possession
of the knife my wife replied that it was for work. The security
guard stated that lock knives are illegal (which is untrue) and
that they would call the police. We decided to enter the building
and get on with our business before the police arrived.

When the police finally arrived we were taken to a small room
where they immediately focussed their attention on me. They asked
me if I had any weapons, to which I replied that I had a small
knife and a sewing needle. They examined the knife and arrested
me and my wife. We were lead out of the building in handcuffs and
taken to Croydon police station.

I was kept here for over eight hours and subjected to
fingerprinting and DNA sampling.

My wife decided to accept a caution after misinformation and
coercion from the police.

I refused to admit guilt and was finally charged with possession
of a blade or pointed article and bailed to appear in court the
following week.

I am currently in the process of defending myself.

If I loose my case I will loose my knife, travel and other costs
incurred and also probably be fined. This could total over 500.00
GBP.

I will also have a criminal record, which will prohibit my entry
to countries including Canada, USA and Australia.

More importantly I will basically be prohibited from using a
knife in the course of my work.

If I win my case I will get my knife back and my travel costs
reimbursed.

As the logic of the UK Law dictates though, I will not be
protected from immediate arrest for the same offence, even if
found not guilty by judge and jury in a court of law on several
occasions.

Feel free to attend court or send me a letter of support.

Heath Bunting 2001