Be careful what you say...

[gettin2dizzy]

The thought police are here


A blogger who "let off steam" about the way he was treated by police has been convicted of posting a grossly offensive and menacing message. Gavin Brent, 24, from Holywell, Flintshire, was fined £150 with £364 costs by magistrates at Mold.


In interview, he said he felt he had been mistreated and hoped the officer would not treat his child the same way.
Brent was prosecuted under the Telecommunications Act, relating to the sending of an electronic message.
He claimed he had not meant to be offensive, had used the blog "to let off steam", but had not intended any harm.
He apologised if it was perceived as a threat, offered to remove the offending words, and to write a letter of apology.
Asked if he realised how the officer and his wife would have felt when they read his comments, he said: "I can now. I am sorry. But their interpretation is different to what I intended." Flintshire magistrates, sitting at Mold, said the blog was articulate, detailed, specific and critical of the police and the CPS.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/north_east/7373639.stm

[DanDare]

So freedom of speech is a thing of the past now is it.:rolleyes:

[ricky]

you will prob find he named the police force and the officers and slaged them off

[G]

you will prob find he named the police force and the officers and slaged them off

So what???

He had a dealing with them, therefore he's entitled to tell people about it.

Thats ones of the joys of living in a 'free (apparently) Country'

Next the police will have hit squads who go around and kill people like in africa for speaking out.

[SoulKiss]

you will prob find he named the police force and the officers and slaged them off

Which SHOULD be perfectly legal...

Who's up for starting our own political party.......

[gettin2dizzy]

you will prob find he named the police force and the officers and slaged them off
I think Brustrom, Chief of the North Wales Police Farce is a tw@

[G]

I think Brustrom, Chief of the North Wales Police Farce is a tw@


Expect a knock at your door now son..........;)

[gettin2dizzy]

Expect a knock at your door now son..........;)
I'll invite him walking up in Snowdonia like I did with the last Chief ;)

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Hmmm. The article mentions that some of the guys comments refered to the coppers parenting skills. I suspect some of these comments may have been rather more inflamatory than we're lead to believe.

[gettin2dizzy]

Well he's obviously a *****. 19 counts of internet theft.....

Even still, it shouldn't be a crime. What about people threatening a 'holy war' ?!

[Flamin_Squirrel]

Well he's obviously a *****. 19 counts of internet theft.....

Even still, it shouldn't be a crime. What about people threatening a 'holy war' ?!

Well, if someone theiving scumbag started an unfounded blog about how you were a baby beating sh*t of a parent, wouldn't you be rather upset? I've no idea if he went that far, but I wouldn't be surprised. If he did, then he deserved to be convicted. Just playing devils advocate - perhaps it wasn't that bad.

As for people threatening holy war, let the idiots broadcast their plans, it'll make it easier to catch them :wink:

[Luckypants]

From the article it appears the offending comment was 'DC LLoyd, God help your child' or similar. The defendant claims this was meant as a comment on the DC's fairness and the effect this would have on his child. To the DC and his wife, reading that shortly after the birth of their first child it is easy to see that as an implied threat.

Whether this was best dealt with at court and by using the law is moot.

Ample demonstration of what is intended is not always what is conveyed on internet sites. This is also a good argument for using clear and concise english when posting, to try to remove any ambiguity.

To paraphrase the thread title, be careful what you type.

[G]

I'm guilty of not typing what I mean :grin:

People take offence all the time when it doesnt come out quite right lol

[northwind]

So freedom of speech is a thing of the past now is it.:rolleyes:

Daft comment, freedom of speech has always been restricted- libel and tort, subjudicy/contempt (is that how it's spelled? No idea!), conspiracy, breach of the peace, and threatening behavior have been restricted in law for longer than there's been any concept of freedom of speech in the UK. "Freedom of speech does not give you the right to shout fire in a crowded theatre" as the man said.

So I suppose it's just down to what he actually said.

[Spiderman]

also as much as i am an advocate of free speech this isnt exactly 'speech' is it? Anyone knows that commiting anything in writting that can be held against you is a stoopid thing to do.
I mean i think a certain PC that i have regular dealings with is an absolute tw@, i can write that as i have not named him and it is purley my subjective opinion about him. I've said worse to his face and been offered and ASBO for it, how funny is that :lol:

Anyway he's a theif and unless he's the robin hood type who steals from the rich and gives to the poor he's scum. End of.

[DanDare]

Daft comment, freedom of speech has always been restricted- libel and tort, subjudicy/contempt (is that how it's spelled? No idea!), conspiracy, breach of the peace, and threatening behavior have been restricted in law for longer than there's been any concept of freedom of speech in the UK. "Freedom of speech does not give you the right to shout fire in a crowded theatre" as the man said.

So I suppose it's just down to what he actually said.

Chill out! I offer my apologies as I missed the link and only read the comment.
I did know the full story. But I only made a rehtoric comment not to be taken completely serious.

I based it on the fact that some one was publically moaning about someone they experienced. Every one is entitled to an opinion is what I meant.

[Steve_God]

Who's up for starting our own political party.......
*raises hand*
Just need some financial backing and the "Common Sense Party" will be formed!

Edit: Ooo... errr... had a quick Google and it already exists!!!

[SoulKiss]

*raises hand*
Just need some financial backing and the "Common Sense Party" will be formed!

Edit: Ooo... errr... had a quick Google and it already exists!!!

I was thinking of "The Freedom Party" - was thinking we could use The Hoff for our campaign tune (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cejq10jZ0kQ)

[gettin2dizzy]

There is a Libertarian party. The press will only do a Ron Paul on anyone like that though

[grh1904]

He had a dealing with them, therefore he's entitled to tell people about it.



Yes, but not the family.

Image someone on here had a dealing with you (in your work capacity), didn't like it and came on here/or blog to say "that graemepaterson...... what a ..........", but then went on to slag off your partner/kids etc.............

How would you feel then.

How would anyone else on here feel if their "significant other &/or kids" were given a slagging off (or whatever phrase you want to use), because of your job.

[SoulKiss]

Yes, but not the family.

Image someone on here had a dealing with you (in your work capacity), didn't like it and came on here/or blog to say "that graemepaterson...... what a ..........", but then went on to slag off your partner/kids etc.............

How would you feel then.

How would anyone else on here feel if their "significant other &/or kids" were given a slagging off (or whatever phrase you want to use), because of your job.

I would feel upset about it, but is my upset enough to warrant setting the cops on someone?

[northwind]

Chill out! I offer my apologies as I missed the link and only read the comment.
I did know the full story. But I only made a rehtoric comment not to be taken completely serious.

I based it on the fact that some one was publically moaning about someone they experienced. Every one is entitled to an opinion is what I meant.

Hey, hope that didn't seem a bit in your face, it wasn't meant that way, that was more a general response to the whole "free speech" comments that these threads always cause, not at you in particular.

[chutz]

difficult one. Bloke obviously is pond scum as he's a thieving tw@. Police can be Knobs too tho.

I think the whole court case thing was possibly a bit excessive but at the same time if pushed my sympathies would be with the copper and his family and not mr Light Fingered and obviously dense toe rag.

[21QUEST]

Sorry but from readng some of the posts on here, folks must be having me on.

Lucypants, hope you don't mind me quoting you.

From the article it appears the offending comment was 'DC LLoyd, God help your child' or similar. The defendant claims this was meant as a comment on the DC's fairness and the effect this would have on his child.
..........

Now if we are to agree that, the offending comment was that, IMO it's almost testamount to abuse of a law due to a whinging PC ****. FFS we complain of everyone wanting to blame something,someone or claiming offence when simple words are uttered and yet folksare making excuses for another whinger in society :confused:

Good thing I kow better or else I would have believed the Police must be recruiting Soft*cks theses days ;)

To the DC and his wife, reading that shortly after the birth of their first child it is easy to see that as an implied threat.

If the DC and his wife really thought that, perhaps one can only assume that, in relation to a certain two people, we are dealing with a major case of hullicination, delusion or paranoia.

The defendants calim is easily the truth IMO(from what we are going on) and frankly, I believe that was how it was really meant but then again these days, someone only has to take offence or indeed claim to be offended....

I tell you what...the next person that calls me a barsteward shoud expect to be brought before a court of law. :rolleyes:



Ben
ps: hope no one takes offence but this sort of stuff is becoming all too common

[Lissa]

I tell you what...the next person that calls me a barsteward shoud expect to be brought before a court of law. :rolleyes:Ben


Ben, you're a Barsteward.........................ess:D

[21QUEST]

Ben, you're a Barsteward.........................ess:D
:shock:


:study: Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:


That's two counts there. First one is implying that my Ma was a loose woman and second one for the 'ess' at the end..... implying that I'm a gurl :smt005 :mrgreen:



Ben

[Lissa]

:shock:


:study: Ed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:


That's two counts there. First one is implying that my Ma was a loose woman and second one for the 'ess' at the end..... implying that I'm a gurl :smt005 :mrgreen:



Ben

Hee hee....................well, you rode a girls bike didn't you?:D:riding:

I apologise to your Ma though;)

[21QUEST]

Hee hee....................well, you rode a girls bike didn't you?:D:riding:

I apologise to your Ma though;)

Ma accepts but that still leaves one count to face......hang on a sec, errrr riding a girls bike not withstanding, I do ride like a gurl :( ......oh bagger ;)


Ben