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Man fined for Blaine water attack
LONDON, England -- A British businessman has been fined 1,000 pounds ($1,660) for causing criminal damage to the water supply of U.S. magician David Blaine, who is in a plastic box dangling over the River Thames. Stephen Charles Field, 38, admitted climbing a 30-feet scaffolding tower that houses the unit supplying water to Blaine during his 44-day starvation challenge in London. Field, who owns a cleaning firm, pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Tower Bridge Magistrates' Court to causing criminal damage and a further charge of using threatening behavior. The married father-of-four from Godalming, south of London, who initially said he wanted to get a better view of the illusionist, then threw a plastic water container from the tower, ripping off the feeder pipe and breaking two taps. He then challenged security staff below, shouting: "I'll take you all on if I come down," the Press Association reported. Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene, and power was cut off to prevent Field being electrocuted by cables. He eventually came down of his own accord and was arrested. Michael Burdett, defending, told the courts that Field admitted he had been "reckless" but had not intended to cause damage. Field, who said he had not been drinking, wanted to get a better view and climbed the tower on impulse. Burdett added: "He now realises it was an extraordinarily stupid thing to do and apologises to David Blaine." Passing sentence, district judge Stewart Black told Field: "I cannot understand why people like you can't leave Mr Blaine in peace." The incident on September 16 was one of many controversies to dog Blaine's endurance stunt which has proved to be a security headache for police since it began a fortnight before. Blaine-baiting has become a popular pastime among the many onlookers and tabloid newspapers. The 30-year-old American has had to endure drums to keep him awake and the smell of barbecues to challenge his no food policy. Some people have even pelted his box with eggs while others have fired golf balls at him. Ten days ago former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney was also reported to have been involved in a scuffle with a press photographer at the site. (Full story) New Yorker Blaine is allowed water, diapers, a journal, some pens, lip balm, a pillow and a pad to lie on in the box, which is about two meters deep, two meters long and one meter wide. Copyright 2003 CNN. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.
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I cannot understand why people like you can't leave Mr. Blaine in peace.
