He also looks like a regular ol' queen.
Posted on 07/04/2002 5:58:12 PM PDT by Pokey78
The man who decapitated a white marble statue of Lady Thatcher, causing potentially irreparable damage, said yesterday that he did it to save his two-year-old son from global capitalism.
Paul Kelleher, 37, who styles himself a theatrical producer, admitted attacking the eight-feet tall statue in Guildhall Library with a cricket bat.
When that failed to damage the sculpture - said to be insured for £150,000 - he picked up a metal pole and knocked its head off with that.
Despite confessing to vandalising the statue - which took Neil Simmons, the sculptor, eight months to create - Kelleher denied a charge of criminal damage before City of London magistrates.
"With the greatest respect to the court I am unable to enter a plea of guilty due to the fact it is criminal damage," he said. "I am not a criminal so I will have to enter a plea of not guilty."
The court heard that Kelleher told police following his arrest that he had wanted "to highlight his concerns about the future of the world and the future of his two-year-old son - people like Baroness Thatcher were the cause of capitalism and global problems, which meant the world was in danger of suffering irreparable damage".
Lady Thatcher, attending a lunch at Claridges, said the damage to the statue was "appalling". The former Prime Minister added: "It's what vandals do. Politics is about persuading people through reason, not by acts of sabotage like that."
At court, John Gilbert, prosecuting, said the insured value of the statue was £150,000 but the cost of repairing it was unknown. "Indeed it is not known whether it is repairable at all. That is a matter for the sculptor," said Mr Gilbert.
He said Kelleher had entered the Guildhall Library around 3pm equipped with a Slazenger V600 cricket bat.
Mr Gilbert added: "When he was beside the statue he took out the cricket bat and took a swipe at the statue. It failed to damage it. He then took up one of those heavy metal poles that are used to support the rope cordon.
"He took another swing at the statue with that heavy pole and in that way he knocked the head of the statue off. He didn't run, he stayed in order to be arrested. He said he would continue to stage such acts until this was remedied, a clear indication that his behaviour will continue."
Mr Gilbert said the Crown opposed bail because of the likelihood of reoffending. But Kelleher, who represented himself, said there was "absolutely no chance" that he would commit another crime.
He said: "This is the first time I have been before a court for criminal damage. I can say absolutely categorically nothing further will take place whatsoever.
"I haven't really hurt anybody. It's just a statue, an idol we seem to be worshipping to a greater extent. In my 37 years this is the first time I have done an action like this. It's a one-off."
The magistrates granted Kelleher unconditional bail and ordered him to reappear before the court on July 24.
Kelleher's parents, John and Cecilia, who live in Blackpool, Lancs, were said by neighbours to be shaken by his behaviour.
One, who has known Kelleher for 20 years, said: "As for beheading Mrs Thatcher - well, in his younger days he would not even cut the lawn."
Watch the Brits ban cricket bats next, like they have handguns. They even have had people start registering knives! lol
Airtight logic if you're a raving looney.
"Paul Kelleher, 37 (Grow the Hell up!), who styles himself a theatrical producer, (Grow the Hell up again!) admitted attacking the eight-feet tall statue in Guildhall Library with a cricket bat."
What an idiot!
LOL
Another great example of how desperate the world's Liberals are for attention.
I wouldnt lock him up....make him "pay" for his theatrics.
He also looks like a regular ol' queen.
Monty the Python doesn't need anymore material.
Paul Kelleher, 37, who styles himself a theatrical producer...
Hmmmmmm.....I bet he doesn't let people see his little plays for free.
"Lazy lout", as Baroness T might say.
Krusty: If you know who cut Jebediah's head, I don't care if it is your brother...
(yeah, I know it's not really funny but the first thing I thought of was the Simpsons)
Keleher: No.
Soloman: Then your judgment on yourself shall be my judgment upon all who dispose of your property from this day forth.
So be it, and let it be proclaimed throught the land.
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