This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/north_east/7373639.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Blogger fined for 'menacing' rant | Blogger fined for 'menacing' rant |
(about 1 hour later) | |
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. | 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. | Gavin Brent, 24, from Holywell, Flintshire, was fined £150 with £364 costs by magistrates at Mold. |
The court heard Brent had been charged with theft offences - which have yet to be dealt with - and posted a message about a police officer's new-born baby. | The court heard Brent had been charged with theft offences - which have yet to be dealt with - and posted a message about a police officer's new-born baby. |
Magistrates said any reasonable person would find the comments menacing. | Magistrates said any reasonable person would find the comments menacing. |
In February, Brent was charged with 19 offences of theft and two charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act involving internet purchases. | In February, Brent was charged with 19 offences of theft and two charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act involving internet purchases. |
The court heard how detective constable Steve Lloyd conducted interviews, but was not present when Brent was charged because his wife was having a baby. | The court heard how detective constable Steve Lloyd conducted interviews, but was not present when Brent was charged because his wife was having a baby. |
'Freedom of speech' | 'Freedom of speech' |
Prosecutor Liz Bell said someone unfortunately told Brent why the officer was absent. | Prosecutor Liz Bell said someone unfortunately told Brent why the officer was absent. |
Brent then ranted about his perceived mis-treatment at the hands of police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). | Brent then ranted about his perceived mis-treatment at the hands of police and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). |
His posting ended: "P.S. - D.C. Lloyd, God help your new-born baby". | His posting ended: "P.S. - D.C. Lloyd, God help your new-born baby". |
The officer and his wife saw the message and Brent, who is unemployed, was arrested at his home. He then claimed: "You can write on websites because it's freedom of speech." | The officer and his wife saw the message and Brent, who is unemployed, was arrested at his home. He then claimed: "You can write on websites because it's freedom of speech." |
In interview, he said he felt he had been mistreated and hoped the officer would not treat his child the same way. | 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 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. | 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." | 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. | Flintshire magistrates, sitting at Mold, said the blog was articulate, detailed, specific and critical of the police and the CPS. |
They said any reasonable person would find the words about the baby to be menacing in the context of the overall blog. | They said any reasonable person would find the words about the baby to be menacing in the context of the overall blog. |
The blog entry has been removed. | The blog entry has been removed. |
Previous version
1
Next version