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French climber banned from scaling UK buildings
PRINT ALL READINGS (PDF)Spiderman Climber - Level 4
A stuntman who climbs skyscrapers for fun was banned from climbing any building in the UK. Alain Robert, 56, got a suspended prison sentence and a $7,000 fine for climbing up a 201-metre-tall tower in London. This was for causing a "large scale" emergency response. Robert is called "the French Spiderman". Robert climbed the London tower using only his bare hands. He never uses ropes or other safety equipment.
A judge told Robert: "You are...an accomplished climber, but there is always the danger that your actions could be imitated by those less proficient, with [deadly results]." Another judge said the climb was a publicity stunt. He said Robert was sponsored to climb the building because he was wearing a T-shirt with a company logo on it. When police arrested Robert, he immediately gave officers his passport and his lawyer's telephone number.
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Spiderman Climber - Level 5
A stuntman who specializes in climbing skyscrapers was banned from climbing any building in the UK. Alain Robert, 56, received a 20-week suspended prison sentence on Friday for scrambling up London's 201-metre Heron Tower. Mr Robert, dubbed "the French Spiderman," also got a $7,000 fine for disruption and causing a "large scale" emergency response. Hundreds of people stopped to watch him climb the building and called the emergency services. Robert climbed the London tower using only his bare hands. He never uses ropes or other safety equipment.
In court, the judge told the climber: "You are...an accomplished climber, but there is always the danger that your actions could be imitated by those less proficient, with potentially fatal consequences." Another judge called the climb a publicity stunt. He pointed out that Robert was sponsored to climb the building because he was wearing a T-shirt with the logo of a company on it. Robert was prepared for his arrest. When police arrested Robert on Thursday, he immediately handed officers his passport and the telephone number of his lawyer.
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11 online activities | 8-page printable (PDF)
Spiderman Climber - Level 6
A French stuntman who specializes in scaling skyscrapers has been banned from climbing any building in the UK. Alain Robert, 56, was handed a 20-week prison sentence on Friday, suspended for two years, for scrambling up London's 201-metre Heron Tower. Mr Robert, dubbed "the French Spiderman," was also handed a $7,000 fine for disruption and for causing a "large scale" emergency response. Hundreds of people stopped in the street to watch him climb the building and a number of emergency services were called. Using his usual climbing method, Mr Robert ascended the London tower using only his bare hands. He never uses ropes or other safety equipment.
The judge who presided over Mr Robert's case told the climber: "You are demonstrably an accomplished climber, but there is always the danger that your actions could be imitated by those less proficient, with potentially fatal consequences." Another judge described the incident as a "publicity stunt". He pointed out that it appeared Robert had been sponsored to climb the building because he was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the logo of a company. Robert was prepared for his arrest. When London Police apprehended him at the foot of the tower on Thursday, he immediately handed officers his passport and the telephone number of his lawyer.
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25 online activities | 27-page printable | 2-page mini-lesson
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