A DRIVER was arrested after reversing at high speed in a purple leotard, blonde wig and high heeled boots.

Blackburn magistrates heard Lawrence Balshaw’s car was approached by a police officer and he reversed at high speed causing school run traffic to swerve into hedges.

Balshaw, 50, of Lyndale Close, Wilpshire, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and possessing an offensive weapon – a pick-axe handle – in the car park of West Bradford Country House Hotel car park.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with conditions that he does not go within 50 metres of any educational establishment or playground or have unsupervised contact with anyone under 18 years of age.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said police had received reports of a man wearing women’s clothing and driving a blue Peugeot, winking and making sexual gestures tow-ards children going to County High School, Grindleton.

On July 21 at 8.45am a police officer driving an unmarked vehicle saw the car pull up outside the school as the children were getting off a bus. Balshaw was wearing a blonde wig and sun glasses.

As the officer approached, Balshaw reversed back down Sawley Road at speed.

“Oncoming traffic had to turn into hedges to avoid collisions and the car then reversed around a blind bend towards Grindleton,” said Miss Allan.

As the officer gave chase Balshaw drove at speed and as he entered West Bradford a ‘watch your speed’ sign showed he was doing 45 mph in a 30 mph limit.

“This was at a time when children were going to school and the lanes were busy,” said Miss Allan.

Balshaw was found on the hotel car park in Eaves Hall Lane wearing a purple leotard, combat trousers and nothing else.

He told police the pick axe handle was to protect himself in case he was accosted because of his appearance.

“The blonde wig and female clothing were found in a bin on the car park,” said Miss Allan.

When interviewed Balshaw said he had been following the school bus wearing female clothing to get attention.

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Balshaw had no previous convictions.

“It is evident there are deep underlying problems here,” said Mr Church-Taylor. “The dressing in women’s’ clothing is an attempt at escapism. He says it is a person other than himself who wanted attention.

“There was nothing sexual in it, it was just that schoolchildren were more likely to pay attention to him.”