Dubious legal feet

Judges in Holland were last week given a selection of bare-footed volunteers as part of an unusual identity parade to help them decide if a man on trial for taking his shoes off in public exceeded the smell barrier.

The 39-year-old had been accused of a breach of the peace after removing his shoes and socks time and again in the Technical University's library in Delft, despite clear signs forbidding it.

During the trial, the man willingly took off his shoes and socks for the judge and jury to smell and complained that he was being discriminated against.