Bloke accused of following ladies in gimp costume unmasked — ‘I’m misunderstood’

A man accused of creeping behind women while dressed as a gimp has said he is “misunderstood” and claims the mask merely keens the sun off his face.

Josh Harper earned the moniker “Bungay Gimp” after he was spotted in the Suffolk market town dressed in dark clothing and with his face covered, as he walked too close for comfort behind freaked out women and girls.

People even reported the Bungay gimp following schoolchildren and he was caught lurking about on doorbell footage in the early hours.

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However, as Josh has been unmasked as Bungay Gimp, the 26-year-old denies any lurking or creeping.

He said: “The world is rough. People say hurtful stuff about me and it’s not fair but let them speak, so be it.

“I mind my own business just walking about to keep my head clear. I have better things to do with my time than to stalk people.”

Suffolk Police declined to investigate the doorbell footage, arguing no crime had been committed. They also said there was no evidence that Josh was involved in any prior criminal activity and said he had been misunderstood.

Josh is a regularly spotted around Bungay with his face almost fully covered, and was branded the Bungay Gimp after a mum reported him to the police, alleging he was following her daughter on her way home from school.

The worried mum claimed Josh had pursued her daughter more than once.

Around the same time, another woman claimed that the Bungay Gimp had changed direction to follow her as she was walking past.

But Josh denied the allegations, saying: “It is just ridiculous. I am lost for words. I want people to know that I don’t follow anyone. I just walk. I sometimes walk to Beccles, Harleston, Bungay.

“If that bothers people then I’m sorry but I really don’t know what for.”

He added that his unusual face get up protects him from the elements.

He said: “The mask keeps the sun off my face when it’s hot. It keeps me warm when it’s cold and also it hides my moustache because I don’t have any razors.”

Suffolk Police have been contacted for comment.

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