"A former army dispatch rider during WW2, Fred Hill was incensed by the U.K.'s compulsory helmet law riding everywhere in an old beret, collecting literally hundreds of tickets which he stored in a large suitcase. Hill's refusal to pay the fines for helmet-less riding constituted Contempt of Court for which he was given jail sentences.

Some of the sentences were very short, as little as 24 hours..other sentences were much longer. Hill was imprisoned 31 times, his final sentence of 60 days-the prison governor had warned Hill that the harsh prison environment could be the death of him..

Though in every other way a law-abiding citizen, Hill spoke at demonstrations against the law, dressed in his prison issued arrow patterned suit he would treat the crowd to theatrical helpings of his Yorkshire wit, always maintaining a characteristic good humour even when being booked. "

As Helmets are the proven principal countermeasure for reducing crash-related head injuries, Hill's actions could be one of a hero for personal freedom or of a misguided fool still remains a debate today..

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