Here is a story from the past that is worth taking a second look at because it shows how celebrities, even the less popular ones, can get away with just about anything! Pete Burns should have been prosecuted for having this coat in his possession; however, police are saying the coat was not in violation of any laws. Take a look:
Photo and story from: http://worldofstaci.blogspot.com/2006/01/dead-or-alive-singer-busted-for.html
On January 18th, 2006 police swooped on the Celebrity Big Brother house to seize the controversial “gorilla coat” worn by transvestite pop star Pete Burns.
The Dead Or Alive singer, who has worn the bizarre coat a number of times since entering the reality TV show house, told fellow guests that it was made from the fur of an endangered species.
He instantly clashed with fellow contestant Jodie Marsh who told him the coat was cruel.
The host of Celebrity Big Brother, was immediately overwhelmed with complaints from viewers concerned about animal welfare issues.
A Police spokeswoman confirmed this afternoon that the coat had been handed over to officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary.
“The coat will now be tested to determine its origin”, the spokesperson said.
This news came after Government minister, Jim Knight, warned that the former Dead or Alive star could face jail if the coat was indeed made from gorilla fur.
Gorillas currently head the list of critically endangered animals and trading in their fur can carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.
February 2006:
Here is the follow-up of this story for those whom asked me to find out about this story and what became of the incident. This was found at: http://www.inthenews.co.uk/television/big-programmes/big-brother/pete-burns-avoids-charges-over-gorilla-coat-$15147176.htm
Celebrity Big Brother finalist Pete Burns will not face criminal charges over the coat he claimed was made from gorilla fur.
The crown prosecution service (CPS) has decided to take no further action after investigating the circumstances that led to the 1980s pop singer owning the garment.
After Burns was seen on TV claiming the coat was made from gorilla fur, officers from Hertfordshire police swooped on the Big Brother house in Elstree and took the coat for further analysis.
Experts from the National History Museum in London established that the fur originated not from a gorilla but from the colobus monkey. The species is endangered but possession of the fur is not a criminal offence unless it was illegally imported.
“The CPS has decided that no prosecution should follow in relation to a colobus monkey fur coat taken into the Big Brother house by Pete Burns,” a CPS statement said.
“There is no evidence to suggest that this garment was imported illegally and therefore that any offence has been committed.”
The CPS added that Burns has not been interviewed by police over the matter.
Burns’ coat was said to be in a poor condition and the pelts used to make the coat are thought to have been brought into Britain during the 1930s or 1940s.
The Dead or Alive frontman was one of the last six contestants left in the Channel 4 reality TV series, eventually being beaten in the public vote by model Chantelle Houghton, former TV presenter Michael Barrymore, Ordinary Boys singer Samuel Preston and Goldie Lookin’ Chain rapper Maggot.
The Stock, Aitken and Waterman song that made him famous, You Spin Me Right Round, is set for a re-release after the publicity garnered by Burns’ appearance on the show.
In the opinion of The Pawz Cauze Host, this is ridiculous. The animal was endangered and thus the coat should be illegal to posses. What is wrong with these people???????
Pawz UP, Ice
