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Urinating student avoids prison Urinating student avoids prison
(30 minutes 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 ordered to do community service.
Philip Laing, 19, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, was charged after the Daily Mail website published the photograph.Philip Laing, 19, of Macclesfield, Cheshire, was charged after the Daily Mail website published the photograph.
The Sheffield Hallam University student, who had been on a drinking session, had been warned he faced jail. The Sheffield Hallam University student, who had been on a drinking heavily, 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 he had decided against jailing Laing.District Judge Anthony Browne said he had decided against jailing Laing.
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.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 BrowneAll 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 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. The court heard Laing started his night out on 11 October by sharing a bottle of whisky with a friend before consuming further alcohol at an event organised by the private company Carnage UK.
The sports technology student had told probation officers all the drinks were £1 for the Carnage bar crawl. The sports technology student 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.
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. University disciplinary
Future undecided The judge said: "No one forced you to take all this drink, or forced it down you, or persuaded you to commit a criminal offence.
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. "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."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."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. "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." Tim Hughes, defending, told the court of his client's utter remorse.
The judge said Laing had been significantly punished and said Sheffield Hallam University was still to decide on his future. Another picture showed Laing in a collapsed state
"Philip Laing has paid an extremely high price for one evening of complete and utter foolishness."
He said Laing had no idea where he was when he was urinating.
"He could have been standing in the middle of Hillsborough football ground, frankly."
Mr Hughes said Laing had never been in trouble with the police and that prison would "utterly destroy what could otherwise be a good, hard-working, tax-paying life."
He added: "In terms of remorse - absolutely, it's from ever pore."
The judge, who also ordered Laing to pay £185 costs, said the student had been significantly punished and that Sheffield Hallam University was still to decide on his future.
A spokesman for Sheffield Hallam University said: "The university has already initiated disciplinary proceedings against this student.
"Now that the judicial process has been completed we will arrange a disciplinary hearing to decide appropriate sanctions."