Swearing Busker Says Sorry As Police Begin Investigation

Avon and Somerset Police have confirmed that they are now investigating the incident where a busker was threatened by another busker.

© YouTube / XxBec3509

The video left residents across the local area in shock after it was uploaded to YouTube showing the busker in Bath being verbally abused and threatened.

In the two-minute video, classical guitarist, and also busker, Gary Millhouse can be seen shouting and swearing at the man, claiming that his performance was drowning out other buskers across the surrounding area.

Mr Millhouse says that the singer was asked to move four times from his pitch on Stall Street.

The person who uploaded the video to YouTube claims that the man being threatened is disabled.

Police have begun investigating the incident, and have confirmed that the abused busker has been in touch with them. They also said that even if he hadn’t been in touch, they still could have begun an investigation.

In the video, Millhouse says: “It’s f****** loud, you turn it down or I’m going to shove that thing right up your a***.

“You’ve been spoiling my performance screaming down that poxy thing. Shut up and listen to me, I’ve had enough of you. Don’t busk here. You do that again, I’m going to f*** you over.”

Mr Millhouse has said that he is sorry for the incident, and also that the busker had been asked to join regular meetings of buskers to decide where and when they would busk. He added that the spot in which the incident took place wasn’t licenced for busking.

Jonny Walker, a founding director of the Association of Street Artists and Performers has spoken out against Millhouse’s actions.

He said: “Gary Millhouse is said to have apologised for his actions but his words in this article seem like an attempt to justify his behaviour by accusing the other busker of playing on an unlicensed pitch and being ‘too loud’.

“This is a total non-apology in my view and is an example of what happens when a group of buskers try to cosy up to a local authority and gang up on other performers.

“Buskers need to work together to build community, not gang up on each other. This poor lad should be encouraged and supported not reduced to tears and frightened off.”

Bath Guitar School owner, Richard Perkins, had an altercation in 2011 with Millhouse. He said: “During the Christmas Market, Abbey Churchyard is no longer a public place, and we had applied to Bath Tourism to play there.

“Gary came up to us shouting that we were not allowed to be there and were stopping him earning a living.”