Bicycle Sex Case Sparks Debates

The case of a man who was convicted of simulating sex with his bicycle has prompted debates about human rights and in particular about the privacy of an individual.

Robert Stewart, 51, from Ayrwas caught by cleaners at a hostel engaged in a sex act with his bicycle.

The man was put on the Sex Offender's Register for three years and was put on probation for the same amount of time.

Stewart pleaded guilty of sexually aggravated breach of the peace by disorderly conduct and simulating sex.

Millions of people have read the story and the story has been hotly debated on forums.

One blogger asked: Would they put on the register a woman who played with a sex toy? Well, a sex toy is designed exactly for sexual acts and a bicycle is not, but still I don't think that the two acts are all that different".

Another blogger said he is more disturbed by the sheriff's ruling rather than by Stewart's having sex with a bicycle.

Those taking part in the discussion were also worried about the future implications.

A blogger wrote: "This case is bad news for privacy in the UK. The ruling can be used to support similar cases in future. "

Human rights lawyer John Scott says that Stewart's case raised important privacy issues as it prompts very important questions about what people can and cannot do behind closed doors with inanimate objects.

The main difficulty is that Stewart pleaded guilty to a breach of the peace and thus these issues of privacy weren't considered by the court.

Scott considers that the case should not set a precedent in the future and should not prevent people who want to engage in sex activity with an inanimate object doing so.