"Defense attorney Sharon Levine told the jury that Roberts did not trespass because there were no signs posted in the stadium telling people to stay off the field."



British Streaker at Super Bowl Guilty of Trespass

Mon Jun 21, 8:07 PM ET




HOUSTON (Reuters) - A Texas jury on Monday found a British streaker guilty of criminal trespassing for racing onto the field during the Super Bowl in February with only a thong and a smile.


Mark Roberts, 39, could face up to 180 days in jail and a $2,000 fine for the misdemeanor crime when the jury of six women considers his sentence on Tuesday.


Roberts danced an Irish jig at midfield at Reliant Stadium before New England Patriots linebacker Matt Chatham knocked him off his feet and police carried him away.


A veteran streaker who has strutted his stuff at hundreds of events around the world, Roberts said he was disappointed by the verdict.


"If making people laugh is a criminal offense, then they should send me to prison for life," he told reporters.


Roberts said he has been arrested many times but never convicted of a crime in connection with streaking.


Defense attorney Sharon Levine told the jury that Roberts did not trespass because there were no signs posted in the stadium telling people to stay off the field.


But prosecutor Kristin Guiney argued that Roberts' antics could not be tolerated in post-Sept. 11 America.


"As light-hearted about this as I'd like to be, we don't live in a society anymore where we can excuse this kind of behavior," she told the jury.


Roberts has admitted to passing through the supposedly tight Super Bowl security wearing a phony referee's uniform, then ripping it off and stepping onto the field just before the start of the second half.


An online casino ad was painted on his skin.
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-- XXOO Tanya