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Urinating student avoids prison Urinating student avoids prison
(about 1 hour later)
A student who admitted outraging public decency after he was pictured urinating over a Sheffield war memorial has been told to do community service.A student who admitted outraging public decency after he was pictured urinating over a Sheffield war memorial has been told to do community service.
Philip Laing, 19, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, who had been out drinking, was charged after the photograph appeared on the Daily Mail website. Philip Laing, 19, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, was charged after the Daily Mail website published the photograph.
The Sheffield Hallam University student had been warned he faced jail. The Sheffield Hallam University student, who had been on a drinking session, had been warned he faced jail.
He was told to complete 250 hours community service when he appeared at the city's magistrates' court.He was told to complete 250 hours community service when he appeared at the city's magistrates' court.
District Judge Anthony Browne said: "I have never seen anybody more contrite. District Judge Anthony Browne said he had decided against jailing Laing.
"The image of you urinating on the memorial is truly shocking. He said: "I have never seen anyone more contrite for what has happened nor one who regrets more the hurt and distress he has caused.
All this is set against a backdrop... of a culture of drinking far too much District Judge Anthony Browne
"You have understandably had the wrath and indignation of the public heaped upon you and your family.""You have understandably had the wrath and indignation of the public heaped upon you and your family."
The court had previously heard that Laing, a sports technology student, had drunk a bottle of whisky before attending an organised student drinking session on 11 October arranged by private company Carnage UK. The court heard Laing had begun his night out on 11 October by sharing a bottle of whisky with a friend before consuming vast amounts of alcohol at an event organised by the private company Carnage UK.
Laing had said he had no recollection of the events of the night until he was contacted by the university press office and shown the photograph, which later appeared on the newspaper's website. The sports technology student had told probation officers all the drinks were £1 for the Carnage bar crawl.
He said he had no recollection of the events of the night until he was contacted by the university press office and shown the photograph which later appeared on the newspaper's website.
Future undecided
The judge said: "Now, let me make this perfectly clear. No one forced you to take all this drink, or forced it down you, or persuaded you to commit a criminal offence. You did that all by yourself and you must take responsibility.
"But all this is set against a backdrop, as your solicitor has said, of a culture of drinking far too much.
"In my view something does need to be done to change this culture.
"What you have done has outraged and offended many and has saddened most.
"I received many letters from members of the public but I am required to decide your sentence on the basis of the facts of the case and principles of law alone."
The judge said Laing had been significantly punished and said Sheffield Hallam University was still to decide on his future.