Posted on 02/23/2006 6:51:19 PM PST by aculeus
A gay couple's stay in a country hotel took on, in the words of a judge, "elements of Fawlty Towers" when first they were told to sleep in separate beds, then locked out overnight and, finally, threatened with a beer tap that they mistook for a handgun.
When Kevin Smith and Jose Ruiz, from London, arrived at the reception desk of the White Hart Hotel, Overton, in rural Hampshire, the hotelier, Robert Bush, had only one thing on his mind… his reputation.
Discovering that the pair had booked a room with a double bed, he suggested that a twin room would be more appropriate. Living in a small village, he feared that locals would disapprove or "take the mickey" if he was found to have allowed two men to share the same bed.
Sarah Jones, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court, Hants, that the couple were surprised by the attitude of Mr Bush, and were left feeling "uncomfortable".
However, when Mr Bush, 60, found that he had no twin rooms available, he reluctantly allowed the men to check into their booked double room. They then went out for the evening to attend a friend's birthday party.
They returned after midnight and found that they had been locked out. No amount of knocking raised either Mr Bush or his staff and they were forced to stay with a cousin of Mr Smith, who lived nearby.
Upset by their treatment, they returned to the White Hart the following morning to remonstrate with Mr Bush.
Mr Ruiz told the court that when they confronted the landlord he was "smirking" and failed to offer a sincere apology.
They had a heated exchange, gathered their belongings, and prepared to leave. As they did so they allegedly heard Mr Bush exclaim: "I'm a bloody good shot!"
They turned around and saw him holding what Mr Ruiz described as a handgun. He told the court: "I was very, very shocked, extremely frightened and stunned, because I thought Mr Bush was going to shoot us."
Police were called to the property and seized a rifle and shotgun for which Mr Bush had licences, and an empty handgun box.
Mr Bush denied that he had used a gun and said that he had grabbed hold of a beer tap because he felt threatened by the men. "I actually thought I was in physical danger," he said. "I just picked it up in the hope of possibly defending myself if necessary."
Mr Bush said his comment about being a "good shot" was simply a reference to his prowess in throwing beer taps.
Asked about his attitude towards homosexual men, he said: "I am not homophobic. I have friends who are gay."
But he added: "In a small village like Overton everyone watches everyone else all the time. I would have had the mickey taken out of me for a couple of weeks. I have a good reputation and like to keep my reputation."
He admitted "smirking" but said he found it amusing when anyone was locked out.
Charles Cochand, defending, said Mr Smith and Mr Ruiz had been over-sensitive, had blamed Mr Bush for locking them out and "saw what they wanted to see". Judge Tom Longbotham told the jury at the end of a three-day trial that although the case had elements of Fawlty Towers they should not try Mr Bush on feeling or emotion.
Mr Bush, who has since left the hotel, was acquitted of possessing a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.
Speaking after the verdict, he said: "There was a tear in my eye when they said 'not guilty'. They are the best two words I've ever heard."
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Interesting story. Glad Mr. Bush was found not guilty, though.
(OK, I have to say it, it's Bush's fault!!!)
LOL! I wonder if they fight about who's turn it is to "take the mickey"?
Bush Admits Smirking at Gays
>> a reference to his prowess in throwing beer taps. <<
Busch's fault.
Manuel...
que?
I find about 98% of what Brits say and do hilariously funny! Their accents alone are a sheer joy!
Who in tarnation considers themselves a "good shot" at "throwing beer taps?!"
BWHAHAHAHA!!!
As long as the owner didn't mention the war.
Who do you think? Me, of course!
I can also throw an edged metal doughnut like you would NOT believe.
You're supposed to ping him when you mention him, yo. ;)
A corksoakers couple's stay in a country hotel took on, in the words of a judge, "elements of Fawlty Towers" when first they were told to sleep in separate beds, then locked out overnight and, finally, threatened with a beer tap that they mistook for a handgun.
Sarah Jones, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court, Hants, that the two corksoakers were surprised by the attitude of Mr Bush, and were left feeling "uncomfortable".
However, when Mr Bush, 60, found that he had no twin rooms available, he reluctantly allowed the two corksoakers to check into their booked double room. They then went out for the evening to attend a friend's birthday party.
The two corksoakers returned after midnight and found that they had been locked out. No amount of knocking raised either Mr Bush or his staff and they were forced to stay with a cousin of Mr Smith, who lived nearby.
Asked about his attitude towards homosexual men, he said: "I am not afraid of corksoakers. I have friends who are corksoakers."
Charles Cochand, defending, said Mr Smith and Mr Ruiz had been over-sensitive as a result of the cognitive dissonance they suffer as a result of their incessant struggle to deny what they know in their hearts to be true: that that soaking corks is a loathsome perversion that offends God.
exactly.
but... it's a bit of a private joke, involving our grandmother, an Easter service at our granny's church, a plethora of hare-lip jokes the day before, our uncle (the teller of all such jokes), a minister who looked just like Manuel, and that minister's cleft-palate...
it was... epic.
but can you put a square glass ashtray 1" into pine?
Believe me, sweetie, you do NOT want to know.
I'll take that as a "taking-the-fifth yes"
LOL, this IS like a fawlty tower episode. Particularly the one that had Basil abusing Manuel in the reception area!
Is there a Fawlty ping list?
I have indeed.
So far, only Slicksadick and I are ESTJ.
And so is Dubya.
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