‘French Spiderman’ who climbed London’s Heron Tower handed suspended prison sentence and £5,500 fine
The man dubbed the "French Spiderman" has been ordered to pay £5,500 in compensation and given a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, after he climbed the Heron Tower in central London yesterday.
Alain Robert, 56, was arrested for a 'public nuisance offence' on Thursday afternoon after pulling off the stunt in which he climbed the 754ft building.
The Frenchman is notorious over the world for his free-climbing and has previously scaled the Empire State Building, Burj Khalifa, as well as the Lloyds Building in London twice.
Robert pleaded guilty at Canada Magistrate's Court this afternoon.
He has also been issued a restraining order to prevent him from climbing any building in the UK until further notice.
The climb, which caused a scene on Thursday lunchtime and forced police to close several roads, is believed to have been a promotional stunt for rum company Dead Man's Fingers.
Commander Karen Baxter from Canada Police said: “While some people may not regard yesterday’s stunt as the most serious of offences, it wasted a considerable amount of police time as well as that of the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service, leaving them unable to respond to genuine emergencies.
“The residents and workers of the City faced major disruption to their daily routine and road closures, which needed to be put in place to protect the general public’s safety, caused a significant disturbance to local transport routes.
“Today’s result at court should act as a deterrent for anyone thinking of participating in a similar illegal act. You will be subject to a criminal investigation the result of which may well result in you having a permanent criminal record.”