Magistrates rule low hanging trousers are a human right

A teenager has claimed a victory for hoodies after an ASBO banning him from wearing trousers too low was scrapped – because it breached his human rights.

Ellis Drummond, 18, was facing a ban on ”wearing trousers so low beneath the waistline that members of the public are able to see his underwear”.

The Crown Prosecution Service were also hoping to ban the youngster from wearing any hooded clothing ”with the hood up” in public.



But the proposals were withdrawn after discussions with Drummond’s defence solicitor ahead of his appearance before Bedford Magistrates’ Court on April 27.

During the hearing District Judge Nicholas Leigh-Smith confirmed prosecutors would have ”failed” to convince him the low trouser ban was necessary. He said: ”Some of the requirements proposed struck me as contrary to the Human Rights Act.”

Instead Drummond, of Rushden, Northants., received a four-year ASBO prohibiting him from using threatening behaviour, begging, or entering the grounds of Bedford College.