That's bigamy

Judge John Rogers QC imposed a nine-month prison sentence and said: “A prison sentence is inevitable for an offence of bigamy."

It might seem strange, but our statute book still retains some of the most obsolete, quaintest and oddest crimes imaginable.

We all know, of course, the hoary old tales that in the UK, a man who feels compelled to urinate in public can do so only if he aims for his rear wheel and keeps his right hand on his vehicle but did you know that a pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants – even, if she so requests, in a policeman’s helmet.

Other bizarre laws include taxis, and it's illegal to put rabid dogs or corpses in a  London taxi or to flag down a taxi if you have the plague, which is worth remembering ,if the weather's that bit warmer.

Among the many illegalities our MPs perpetrate, it's worth noting that it's illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament and an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside down.

Under the UK’s Tax Avoidance Schemes Regulations 2006, it is illegal not to tell the taxman anything you don’t want him to know, though you don’t have to tell him anything you don’t mind him knowing.

Two interesting laws about the Scots and Welsh include Welshmen being banned from entering Chester before sunrise and from staying after sunset and legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls of York, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow.

However, compared with some parts of the world we have it easy. Most adolescent boys should avoid Indonesia, where the penalty for masturbation is decapitation.

Perhaps it's time we asked the political candidates if they're going to reform the laws of the UK to bring them into line with the 21st century. And while we're at it, if Wales gains full independence perhaps we could adopt a constitution that would guarantee us the right to bear arms. Just a .44 Magnum would do.




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