This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/dec/20/poppy-burning-teenager-meets-forces

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Poppy burning teenager meets forces personnel in lieu of criminal charges Poppy burning teenager meets forces personnel in lieu of criminal charges
(about 3 hours later)
A teenager who was arrested after posting a picture of a burning poppy on Facebook has met serving and former members of the armed services as part of a restorative justice programme. A teenager who was arrested after posting a picture of a burning poppy on Facebook will not be charged with any offence as a result of meeting serving and former military personnel as part of a restorative justice programme.
Linford House, 19, from Aylesham, Kent, was detained on Remembrance Sunday in Canterbury after the image he put up of a poppy being torched by a lighter was reported to police. It was accompanied by an offensive message that reportedly said: "How about that you squadey [sic] c****." Linford House, 19, from Aylesham, Kent, was detained on Remembrance Sunday in Canterbury after the image of a poppy being torched by a lighter was reported to police. It was accompanied by a message that reportedly said: "How about that you squadey [sic] cunts."
On Wednesday, he met an ex-naval marine, a sergeant major, members of the Royal British Legion and representatives from an army-affiliated charity in Canterbury. Kent police said House agreed "to discuss the impact of his actions and find out how it affected others". As a result he has not been charged with any offence. On Wednesday, he met an ex-marine, a sergeant major, members of the Royal British Legion and representatives from an army-affiliated charity in Canterbury. Kent police said House agreed "to discuss the impact of his actions and find out how it affected others".
War veterans and community leaders condemned his Facebook posting but his arrest prompted allegations from some quarters of overzealous policing of the internet. Civil liberties groups criticised the detention as a restriction on freedom of expression. War veterans and community leaders condemned his Facebook posting but his arrest prompted allegations of overzealous policing of the internet. Civil liberties groups criticised the arrest as a restriction on freedom of expression.
House's father, Keith, said his son was drunk when he posted the picture, which he subsequently deleted and could not remember putting up. He said his son had been "idiotic" but should have been told off rather than arrested. House was moved out of Aylesham for his own protection after the incident. House's father, Keith, said his son was drunk when he posted the picture, which he deleted and could not remember putting up. His son had been "idiotic" but should have been told off rather than arrested. House was moved out of Aylesham for his own protection.
The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, issued guidelines on Tuesday for the prosecution of people who misuse social media, under which they are less likely to face proceedings if they take down a message and express remorse. The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer, issued guidelines on Tuesday under which people who misuse social media are less likely to be prosecuted if they take down a message and express remorse. In March 2011, Emdadur Choudhury, a member of Muslims Against Crusades, was fined £50 at Belmarsh magistrates court, London, for burning two poppies during the two-minute silence commemorating Armistice Day. Choudhury had denied a public order offence of burning the poppies in a way likely to cause "harassment, harm or distress" to witnesses.
In March 2011, Emdadur Choudhury, a member of Muslims Against Crusades, was fined £50 at Belmarsh magistrates court for the "calculated and deliberate" insult to the dead of burning two replica poppies during the two-minute silence commemorating Armistice Day on 11 November.
Choudhury had denied a public order offence of burning the poppies in a way likely to cause "harassment, harm or distress" to witnesses.