Man who went on shop rampage stood on his head in court dock but was ignored by everyone

A man who pulled hair out of a policewoman’s head and assaulted a staff worker in a Penzance health shop stood on his head for several minutes while he was in the dock at Truro Magistrates’ Court. Because of the construction of the secured area, all that could be seen of him from the court room was his two legs upside down and his feet. He said nothing, remaining in that position for some time, before then taking his seat. His action was ignored by the court and the case proceeded, continuing until he sat down again of his own accord.

He was Bhupinder Singh Goraya, aged 44, of Penzance, Cornwall, who had told the police he was a freeman of the land and did not follow English laws or the Sovereign. He pleaded guilty to two offences of assault and one of criminal damage. Alison May, for the CPS, said Goraya went into the Holland and Barrett shop at about 3.15pm, followed by a woman who asked shop staff to lock the doors behind him to detain him because he had been causing trouble in a public house.



When Jak Hodgkins, a staff member, asked Goraya what was up, defendant said to him: “I’ll f****** do you”, swinging a bottle of oils he was holding at him and hitting him on the head with it. He started throwing bottles from the shelves at the woman from the pub and one was smashed. An off duty police officer, PC Liston, who was in the shop, told Goraya three times who she was and that he should calm down, but he continued to throw things around and wave his arms. She took him to the floor and restrained him, and while down, he grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled it out, causing her extreme pain.

He then grabbed a silver chain she was wearing and broke it. He was shouting vile and abusive language all the time. Goraya told the police when they arrived that he had got drunk at the Seven Stars pub. When he drank he got aggressive and “bolshie”. He described hitting Mr Hodgkins in the face as “a joyful thing to do”. He had a previous conviction and some cautions. Goraya, who said he was a writer, had little to say for himself in court, and was given a year’s community order and told to do 180 hours of unpaid work. He was also given a drink banning order for a year, made to pay £150 compensation to the police officer, £50 to Mr Hodgkins, £24.99 to the shop, and £145 costs and surcharge.