Personal trainer in court for ‘running up and down hill’ on Primrose Hill without licence

A personal trainer has become the first person to appear in court accused of breaking the law by coaching in Primrose Hill without a £350 licence.

Alexi Ajavon appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Monday charged with breaching a controversial new byelaw in force across the Royal Parks that bans trainers from “trading” without a “fitness licence”.

The licences were introduced in January, with the cheapest costing £350 per year for those who work with no more than two clients at a time, up to six times per week. The most expensive costs £1,500.

French-born Ajavon, 43, of Mount Pleasant Road, Queen’s Park, pleaded not guilty to the charge, telling the court he was actually working with a friend for no fee when stopped by police on October 9.

He said: “At the time when [the police officer] took my statement, I was training a friend. She [the officer] asked if I was a personal trainer and I said yes, because that’s my job.

“But I was training as a freebie, it was nothing about trading.

“I was just going up and down the hill running.”

Ajavon faces trial at Highbury Corner on March 10.