'Spiderman' denies nuisance charge

David Chick pleaded not guilty

A protester who spent six days on a crane near Tower Bridge dressed as Spiderman has denied causing a public nuisance.

David Chick, 37, of Burgess Hill, West Sussex opted for trial by jury when he appeared at Thames Magistrates' Court in central London on Thursday.

He is charged with causing a public nuisance by climbing the 100-foot crane and causing a danger to public safety, both of which he denies.

Police closed Tower Bridge, a major route across the Thames, and surrounding roads to traffic during the first five days of Mr Chick's protest about fathers' rights for access to their children.

Dressed as his daughter's favourite hero he climbed the crane at dawn on Friday, unfurled a banner and ignored police negotiators' attempts to talk him down.

Mr Chick was arrested and charged when he came down at 1600 GMT on Wednesday.

It followed a series of protests by campaign group Fathers 4 Justice, although Mr Chick is not believed to be a member of the group.

District Judge Jacqueline Comyns granted him bail on the condition he stayed at his present address and did not climb any tall structures, display himself in a fashion that was likely to cause disruption, or carry out further protests.