I note with interest today that the case brought against Ann Summers the behemoth of sex aid retailers has been dismissed after just a two day hearing. The case was brought about by a group called Large Cause who argued that the Brewer Street store should be required to apply for a sex shop license based on its ratio of adult goods. On the face of it  clarification of the boundaries separating a ‘high street chain’ with a smattering of adult product and a licensed premises would be welcome. The current laws leave much to the discretion of local authorities and indeed the amount of sex toys on your shelves will be down to your authorities guidelines.

The problem with the Ann Summers case was not in the questions raised but in the motivation of the prosecution when it became apparent that ‘Large Cause’ was indeed a body formed by Tim Hemming and David Boothby. Who are these guys? Well Tim owns ABS Holdings a prominent sex toy wholesaler and  Simply Pleasure an online sex shop and  David owns pulse and cocktails a sex toy retail outfit. The Judge’s opposition to the case by day two was primarily based on the conflict of interest and indeed commercial gain these two fellows had by prosecuting Ann Summers, they were direct competition in the online sex aid and sex shop toy business.

The whole case becomes farcical in the extreme and ended with a delighted Vanessa Gold outside the court house and expected claim for costs touching £100,000 expected to be heard today!

Did you know that In Japan many of the dual action vibrators available feature the head of a geisha or woodland animal. Reportedly the Japanese are not allowed to produce a sex toy which is shaped like a cock ans so disguise the clitoral stimulator of a rabbit vibrator as a dolphin or beaver. On first glance the head of a vibe may look to be the tip of a penis but when taking out the magnifying glass it actually has a girly bob, eyes and  big smile. It is unclear where the law originated although speculation is that the United States implemented this quirky adult  rule after World War II.It hasn’t lessened the popularity of sex toys in Japan but spawned generations of females that consider bunnies erotic and Samurai faces a real turn on. Its funny to think that nowadays sex toys are produced for an adult market whereby creatures and dolls are considered a discreet way to practise toy play without your favourite vibrator being discovered. Big Tease Toys produce a massive range of novelty sex toys that can be left on the side of the bath or dresser drawer without fear of discovery. The kokeshi vibrator is the latest sex toy in its range and resembles an oriental lady in its entirety delivering amazing vibration at the press of a button. We are all used to seeing novelty sex toy designs in todays modern adult market place and its all thanks to the Japanese!

Lovehoney and Love it magazine launched a Best of British Sex Toy Test to find the best vibrators as voted by some readers of Love it. The lucky few were each sent 12 vibrators to test and after a testing session with each the verdicts were given on the sex toys.

In the category ’singles’ voted number one was the Lovehoney Jessica Rabbit 2.0 Rabbit Vibrator with its capacity to bring on huge orgasms at the flick of a button. Second place was given to the erotic rocket 10 function mini vibrator whilst third was the Tracey Cox supersex power vibe. Its no surprise that the rabbit vibrator took the sex toy for singles prize as the Jessica Rabbit has long been replacing sex in the city. The mini ‘pocket rocket’ vibrator is queen of masturbation though and with many a girl wanting to pack their sex toy is the right proportion for handbag or suitcase.

The couples sex toys category had a clear winner in the Tracey Cox Supersex clitoral massager vibrator, a waterproof quiet vibe for masturbation or foreplay. Second came the Buzz Tingler finger vibrator and third was the Love Bunny Vibrating Bullet. It all goes to show that the powerful clitoral vibrators are popular for partner pleasure where clitoral stimulation is important  for female orgasm.

Best Sex Toy for fun is the iBuzz two vibrator music activated sex toy, second is the vibraexciter mobile phone vibe and third is the 10 function remote control dream egg.

Best budget buy in these times of recession is the Lovehoney bang bang bullet vibrator, second is the Ladyfinger mini vibrator and third the vibrating cock ring. All three of these bargain sex toys are sure to please without putting you in the red.