A homeless man known as the “swan whisperer” has been banned from Hyde Park after ramming a woman with a bicycle in a row over the birds.
Anders Fernstedt, 57, clashed with neighbours after he “stroked, cuddled and kissed” the swans in the central London park.
Fernstedt had become a well-known figure in the area, having set up home in a doorway of a mansion on Rutland Gate in Knightsbridge, complete with a bed, plants and books.
Generous neighbours had previously provided him with a range of items from designer clothing to a £5,000 Fortnum and Mason hamper.
But when Jon Ferguson, a swan volunteer, warned Fernstedt to stop interfering with the swans in Hyde Park following an outbreak of avian flu, the pair fell out.
Mr Ferguson had approached Fernstedt while local resident Virginia Grey filmed the interaction on March 30 2023
But Fernstedt became angry and rammed Mrs Grey with his bicycle, causing her to fall over, before attacking Mr Ferguson when he tried to apprehend him.
Southwark Crown Court heard that following a tussle on the ground, Fernstedt had come back and assaulted Mr Ferguson, striking him in the face and kicking his ribcage and torso.
The injured volunteer was left needing stitches on the inside of his mouth, blurred vision and in need of painkillers for his bruised ribs, the court heard.
The judge, Mr Recorder David Etherington, KC, said: “There were clearly issues with the swan population due to an outbreak of avian flu and Mr Ferguson had warned you about touching the swans and you ignored him several times and enticed the swans out of the water with food.
“You have beliefs about interacting with and touching swans and showing them to tourists to understand the bird population.
“The sad thing is all three of you have an interest in the welfare of birds but different views about how this should be achieved.”
Fernstedt had represented himself in the court case and during cross-examination, he had quizzed Mrs Grey.
Speaking to Fernstedt in court, Mrs Grey said at one stage: “Birds go to anybody who has food. If you go regularly enough they recognise you.
“They will always come over looking for food. It is not because they think you are fantastic.
“But you stroke them, you cuddle them, you kiss them, you pick them up. That is interfering with wildlife, and disturbing them. It is not natural.”
Etherington explained that Fernstedt had initially been friendly with Mrs Grey but their interactions had “soured over time”.
He sentenced Fernstedt to a 15-month community order with a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
The judge also said the rehabilitation requirement should help Fernstedt to focus on solutions in life and avoid dwelling on his problems.
He passed a restraining order preventing Fernstedt from entering Kensington Gardens in Hyde Park or contacting Mr Ferguson or Mrs Grey for two years.
Fernstedt had no previous convictions and he told a probation officer he had had a fall from his bike and later became homeless in 2023 after being evicted when the house he was living in was sold.
Westminster City Council determined he had intentionally made himself homeless.
