12 November 2023 , 10:22
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Two victims of the "Somerset Gimp" are "terrified" that the original culprit is still at large and that he "could know where we live".
The women say they have "nightmares and flashbacks" over the incident where they came across plastic-clad Joshua Hunt who has now been convicted. Sam Farmer and Chloe Smith were driving down a country lane in May near Bleadon, north Somerset, after finishing work at midnight when they were confronted by Hunt in the middle of the road.
Mum-of-two Sam, 37, from Weston Super-Mare, said: “It was out of a nightmare. He had drawn a face on his gimp mask with an illuminous pen. So all we could see was a man in a gimp suit in the middle of the road with a terrifying smile and drawn-on eyes.
“Behind us was a pitch-black country lane. And in front of us, he was stood with really low-lit lights behind him. Like a horror film. He was completely still, just staring at us. Not moving and had his hands behind his back so I had no idea if he had a weapon.” Hunt, 32, who was found guilty of public order offences last month, confirmed in court that he was the masked man who had frightened passing drivers in north Somerset on two nights in May but claimed: “The outfit I wear is not anything to do with the gimp.”
Samantha Farmer said it was like a "nightmare" (Tom Wren SWNS)
Chloe Smith said it was "terrifying" (Tom Wren SWNS)Police said he had done internet searches in 2022 and 2023 about the “Somerset Gimp” and the “Gimp of Cleeve”. Now Chloe and Sam believe “deranged” Hunt was a copycat, with the “real” Somerset gimp is still on the prowl, reported the Daily Star.
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Sam added: “I know he has been convicted but I think Joshua Hunt is a copycat. The real Somerset Gimp could still be out there. Having seen previous videos and pictures of the so-called Somerset Gimp, it just looks like a different body shape, a different man. I’m terrified the real gimp is still out there. Near my home, targeting us. I have flashbacks all of the time. I have nightmares.”
Joshua Hunt at Bristol Magistrates' Court (PA)Chloe, 23, added: “He could know where we live, this could not be over. And that thought is terrifying.” The pair say their lives have changed as a result of the incident, and have even left their jobs due to the terror and stress they have felt ever since. Sam added: “We have quit our jobs and found new ones because the memories affect us so much. I cannot stress how much this deranged man has affected me. This has changed my life."
The road where Chloe Smith and Samantha Farmer were approached by Joshua Hunt (Tom Wren SWNS)Joshua Hunt, 32, was found guilty of causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress to his victims. He has now been handed a sexual harm risk order, which prevents him from wearing any type of mask unless for medical reasons. The order will be in place for five years.
The "Somerset gimp" filmed by victim Alex Warren (Bristol Post WS)Imposing the sexual harm risk order at Bristol Magistrates’ Court earlier, District Judge Joanna Dickens said: “[The incidents] are clearly acts of a sexual nature with a sexual element to them." She continued: "A sexual risk order is quite a serious order, and it has a lot of obligations of you and if you breach this order you can go to prison. I only make an order if I think it is necessary to protect the public from you and I do think it is necessary."
Among the restrictions imposed, Hunt is now banned from:
- Being in possession of any type of mask or face covering in a public place, including whilst in a vehicle in a public place, between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00 unless officially required for medical purposes or by law.
- Wearing or being in possession of black all-in-one garments in a public place, including in a vehicle in a public place between the hours of 21:00 and 06:00.
- Crawling, wriggling or writhing on the ground in a public place whilst wearing a full-body covering, clothing that appears like a full body covering and/or mask/full face covering.
Restrictions have also been placed upon Hunt’s computer use and access to the internet.