Crimes - Criminals - Judges - Lawyers - Trials

Aug. 08, 1973 - Sikh Defies Ruling On Crash Helmets: An English-born Sikh was fined1 on each of 14 summons for failing to wear a crash helmet in accordance with the new motor cycle regulations, when he appeared at Bedford Magistrates court yesterday. He drove away from court still without protective headgear. Hans Walter Powles, of Salisbury Road, Bedford who changed his name to Mohan Hartung Singh when he was converted to the Sikh religion two years ago, told the magistrates his head belonged to God and would not remove his turban to put on a crash helmet. He was told by magistrate If your religion precludes you from removing your turban you must ceased to ride a motorcycle. The magistrates decision will affect about 200, 000 sikhs living in Britain. The Barristers representing powles, told the magistrates this case interest beyond four walls of this court. The wearing of the turban was mandatory for Sikh. It was recognized by the British Government in the last war when Sikhs exempted from wearing steel helmets even though they have to face the enemy. Photo shows Mohan Hartung Singh seen being booked again for not wearing a crash helmet, when he arrived at the court in Bedford yesterday

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Accordance Affect Appeared Barristers Bedford Belonged Booked Ceased Changed Converted Decision Defies Drove English-born Exempted Failing Hartung Magistrate Magistrates Mandatory Mohan Powles Recognized Regulations Remove Removing Representing Ruling Salisbury Sikh Sikhs Singh Summons Though Told

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