Terminally-ill university lecturer who was arrested for mooning at a speed camera to tick it off his bucket list inspires new 'Banksy' Bart Simpson mural
A terminally-ill dad of two who was wrestled to the ground and arrested for indecent exposure after mooning at a speed camera for fun was honoured with a suspected Banksy mural this week.
Darrell Meekcom, 55, from Kidderminster, was left stunned when he was contacted by an anonymous person who represented an 'international street artist' on Wednesday morning.
Stencil black graffiti of two police officers, with a colourful bare-bottomed Bart Simpson, appeared on an underpass near the Waterside Pub in Kidderminster, Worcester on Saturday.
A suspected Banksy has appeared in Kidderminster and is allegedly inspired by a terminally ill man who mooned a speed camera and was then arrested by police for indecent exposure
Darrell Meekcom, 55, posed next to the 'Banksy' mural in Worcester by bending over as the painted character of Bart Simpson is
Three police cars pulled up outside Mr Meekcom's home in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, and he was later wrestled to the ground by six officers during the arrest in his back garden
Besides MSA, Mr Meekcom suffers from heart disease, kidney failure and Parkinson's Disease. He said: 'I'm a threat to nobody. I use a wheelchair and need a Zimmer frame to get out of bed'
The dad of two posed for pictures in front of the stencil artwork. He was diagnosed with MSA last month
Mr Meekcom said the life expectancy following a diagnosis of MSA is around six years, although this varies from person to person
Inspired by his original story, the artist told Mr Meekcom that the police were purposely painted in black to represent the 'disproportionate use of force' and the 'dark and oppressive nature of the police', while Bart Simpson was depicted as 'cheeky, comical and playful'
The artwork shows two police officers in guard gear with batons poised over the cartoon character.
Mr Meekcom drew up a bucket list after he was diagnosed with terminal multiple system atrophy that involved mooning a speed camera, a bungee jump, parachuting and a naked streak at a Premiership at a Worcester Warriors rugby game.
Mr Meekcom dropped his trousers at the mobile speed camera van on Stourbridge Road while his wife went to buy some bread from a nearby Tesco Express.
The dad of two went viral this week after cops pulled up outside his home - who also has Parkinson's Disease and heart and kidney problems - and demanded to be let in.When he refused, officers raided the home and kicked down the garden gate before wrestling him to the ground outside to put him in cuffs, all the while being filmed by Mr Meekcom's wife Sarah, 36.
The family found the suspected Banksy amusing and praised the mysterious artist for their 'tongue and cheek' mural.
Mr Meekcom said: 'I had a message from an account last week, saying they were representing an anonymous international street artist.
'We discussed what happened with the police and they said they wanted to do a piece on it.
'I was shocked and didn't think it was real. I thought nothing of it.
'Then I got another message on Wednesday asking if I was still interested - I said yes.
Police officers were photographed outside Mr Meekcom's address as they came to arrest him for indecent exposure after he mooned at a passing mobile speed van
Police officers outside Mr Meekcom's address after he was reported for making an 'indecent exposure' at a police camera
'Then to my amazement, I got another anonymous message [on Saturday] to say the piece had been done and I was supplied with a postcode.
'We had some photos taken and sent them across to them. It is amazing.'
Inspired by his original story, the artist told Mr Meekcom that the police were purposely painted in black to represent the 'disproportionate use of force' and the 'dark and oppressive nature of the police', while Bart Simpson was depicted as 'cheeky, comical and playful'.
Mr Meekcom added: 'The Bart Simpson is me. It is awesome. It is a fun story.
The driver (pictured) of the mobile police speeding van who reported Mr Meekcom for making an 'indecent exposure' after he bared his behind
'Many people will be able to see this now.
'It is really cleverly done.
'When I got there this morning you could smell it was all fresh paint.
'It is the big repressive man picking on the little preacher.
'It is a David and Goliath story really.
'All I wanted was recognition for the MSA trust.'
Mr Meekcom was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy (MSA) last month, a terminal condition which affects the nervous system.
He said the life expectancy following a diagnosis of MSA is around six years, although this varies from person to person.
When he was released from custody his vision was blurred and he also suffered two seizures.
He went to Kidderminster Hospital and was later referred to Worcestershire Royal Hospital due to fears he suffered a bleed to the brain.
Mr Meekcom, who used to lecture medical students at Birmingham City University, said: 'I feel like I have been abused.
'It was outrageous bullying.
'I was simply gobsmacked that I got arrested for mooning a speed camera.
'It is something I had always wanted to do because I'd been caught by them a couple of times for silly speeds like 35mph in a 30 zone and it always bugged me.
'When I was given the diagnosis last month my wife suggested drawing up a bucket list and that was one of the items on there that I've now crossed off at some price.'
Mr Meekcom shows the damage to his back door after police allegedly forced their way into his garden to arrest him
'They saw me as a big fellow. They may be perceived me as a threat but because of my illnesses at five-year-old child could knock me over.
'I have MSA, heart disease, kidney failure and Parkinson's Disease. I'm a threat to nobody.
'I use a wheelchair and need a Zimmer frame to get out of bed.
'They could have killed me very easily and even when I calmly explained the situation, they carried on restraining me and cuffing me from behind.
'They did not even provide care for me when I was in custody despite my various conditions and suffering a blow to the head.
'I did not resist arrest once and I felt the response was completely disproportionate in the circumstances.
'They were all young officers, there was no senior officers involved and if there was the situation would have been managed must better.
'At one point I took a photo of one officer goading me through the window, it was like they were laughing at me and knew what they were going to do.
'I feel it was an abuse of police power and privilege.'
Mr Meekcom has reported the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
A West Mercia Police spokesman said on Tuesday: 'A 55-year-old man from Kidderminster was arrested on suspicion of public order offences and released on bail.
'Enquiries are ongoing.'
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