Rollerblading pensioner 'a danger to the public'

Rollerblading pensioner Geoff Dornan charged with rollerskating dangerously in a public place, writes BBC.
71 year old skater Geoff Dornan has vowed to appeal after magistrates handed him a rollerblading ban on Tuesday afternoon.
Mr Dornan was landed with a bill of £2,092 in costs and court charges after being found guilty of breaking by-laws in Chapel Street, Southport, But he has vowed to fight the magistrates’ decision at crown court.
Defending his behaviour and claiming that he was "safe skating" Mr Dornan told the court that many people misunderstood the threat he posed to shoppers.
He remarked: "It's said I weave in and out of people – I don't say that's a bad thing.
"I try where possible to go behind people so that I don't get in their way."
The OAP talked the court through CCTV footage repeatedly stopping the tape to explain his actions and state of mind.
Mr Dornan claimed that he skated at a speed of eight or nine miles an hour and added: "Often I'm deliberately dawdling until a gap opens up."
Citing a letter written by Mr Dornan to Merseyside Police, prosecuting solicitor Suzette Cain said: "People had actually objected to the manner of your skating.
"[In the letter] you were representing their opinion of you at the time."
Ms Cain then pointed out that Chapel Street was one of the busiest shopping streets at that time of day, and asked Mr Dornan why he couldn't skate on the sea front, rather than in town's pedestrianised area.
Mr Dornan responded: "Why should I skate there?"
Defence solicitor Andrew Scott repeatedly reminded the bench that Chapel Street is covered by council by-laws that restrict – but do not prohibit – rollerblading.
The Ormskirk pernsioner appeared before North Sefton Magistrates to complete the part-heard case which had been brought against him by Sefton Council.
This week Mr Dornan appeared in the Southport court for the third time in six weeks.
The first case brought by Merseyside Police was dropped on January 12 but Sefton Council continued with its own legal action against the pensioner.
That case was opened on January 19, but was adjourned until Tuesday because magistrates didn't have time to view all the evidence in one sitting.