Cyclist says he's sorry over film of run-in with Pc

A cyclist who filmed himself bamboozling a policeman trying to ticket him for jumping a red light apologised today.

Danny Shine, 44, escaped punishment after challenging the officer, named as Pc Stout, over exactly which law was being used to threaten him with arrest.

Mr Shine, who describes himself as an independent film-maker, wrote on his blog that he had originally intended to blank out the Pc's face and number on the YouTube film. "But I then allowed myself to be persuaded to put it up with him on it," he added. "I do regret that now. Although in a way, I think I embarrass myself as much as he embarrasses himself.

"I apologise for being difficult... my tone was not loving and compassionate and for that I apologise."

The officer was filmed apparently
trying to cover the camera mounted on Mr Shine's cycling helmet with his hand, to stop the episode being recorded.

The encounter in Edgware Road hit the headlines this week but was recorded last year. Mr Shine runs a company called Spiritual Entertainment Ltd and has uploaded 158 videos to his online site. They include footage of him at London landmarks with a placard reading "Everything is OK".

His blog states: "One of the primary motives for putting up the film was to help us all question our understanding of the law, what it is, how it operates and how it is being 'policed'." If the Pc had not tried to snatch the camera, he would have paid the fine, he said, but instead fled the scene "in fear".

A Met spokesman said Pc Stout had "received advice with regards to use of the Road Traffic Act, adding: "The cyclist was later spoken to about this matter. The officer was right to stop him. We would like to remind all cyclists of the dangers of not stopping when a red light is shown at traffic lights."