U.K. Man Arrested Over ‘Offensive’ Tweet
A 19-year-old U.K. man was arrested over an “offensive” tweet about an accident involving a truck which killed six people. The teenager deleted the offensive tweet, but not before it was noticed by others.
[su_center_ad]It seems that the man identified as Ross Loraine was trolling and apparently that’s illegal in Glasgow.
Slashdot reports:
From the article: “The tweet, which has since been deleted along with the account that posted it, joked about the tragedy, in which the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove on the pavement, hitting Christmas shoppers ‘like pinballs.’ The tweet said: ‘So a bin lorry has apparently driven in 100 people in Glasgow eh, probably the most trash it’s picked up in one day.'”
The Huffington Post reports:
Speaking before the arrest was announced, Steve Kuncewisz, a solicitor specialising in media law, said the tweet could constitute an offence under The Communications Act.
He added some of the responses to the tweet – including insults and threats – could also be an offence under the same act.
Kuncewisz said,”The wisdom of the crowd is not always present in situations like this. And the wisdom of this one guy seems to have deserted him. But whether or this would justify an arrest of prosecution, I’m not so sure.”
H/T: @ComgenKDT with thanks.[su_csky_ad]
Image: Facebook
StoneyCurtisll December 24th, 2014 at 8:26 pm
What people used to say under their breath are now sent out over the ‘interwebs’ via Twitter and other outlets…
Some people should just keep their disturbed thought to themselves.
tiredoftea December 24th, 2014 at 8:44 pm
Include their disturbed behavior, and you’ve got a deal.
whatthe46 December 24th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
“…disturbed thought to themselves.” depends actually. there have been certain people who portray themselves in one light, who actually have an impact on others, and in the dark they are cold, evil bastards. but, when they use the net to voice who they really are, the true them, finally comes to light. and that, i like.
SeanieRyan December 25th, 2014 at 5:18 am
Black humour jokes are not an offense, even if some people are precious and imagine they have been offended or even have been offended.
Jake December 24th, 2014 at 8:32 pm
I would hardly call a disgusting racist remark just “trolling”. Remember this guy is an Englishman making a joke at the expense of dead Scottish people – not taken lightly over there in my birthplace – dear auld Glasgow toon.
Anomaly 100 December 24th, 2014 at 8:42 pm
You should read Alan Colmes’ Twitter timeline. Disgusting racist trolls are allowed to be disgusting racist trolls in America. I wonder what Glasgow would do if Westboro Baptist Church members visited.
whatthe46 December 24th, 2014 at 9:02 pm
um, build big prisons.
EDIT; BUILD BIG INSANE ASYLUMS?
Candide Thirtythree December 26th, 2014 at 2:02 am
LOL, IKR?
But actually they rarely got to prison they get an ASBO, anti-social behaviour order, and they get fines or community service or something like that.
StoneyCurtisll December 24th, 2014 at 9:12 pm
High Five to that comment sister~!
StoneyCurtisll December 24th, 2014 at 9:17 pm
Speaking of Westboro Baptist Church..
The Foo Fighters sent them a personal message when they played here in KCMO a few years back..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e5hRLbCaCs
Keep it Clean.
Jake December 24th, 2014 at 10:29 pm
Two wrongs don’t make a right-wing…..oh wait..
Candide Thirtythree December 26th, 2014 at 2:00 am
They can’t, WBC has been banned, or some of its members banned from even entering the UK.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hampshire/7898972.stm
Known racists ad bigots and members of hate groups are often banned from countries that don’t put up with that. Quiet a few republican mouth pieces have been banned from entering countries like the UK and Germany.
StoneyCurtisll December 24th, 2014 at 8:33 pm
Canned Heat warned us about this years ago…
“Watch what you do, watch what you say”, City Hall is goin to, sick them pigs on you”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILjfu3zAhHw
rg9rts December 25th, 2014 at 4:13 am
Can’t fix stupid…ignorance yes …stupid no
raincheck December 25th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
What about “willful” ignorance?
rg9rts December 25th, 2014 at 1:23 pm
Of course it can be fixed a few properly placed electrodes clears most thinking
raincheck December 25th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
lol
SeanieRyan December 25th, 2014 at 5:15 am
It is in bad taste, no doubt. A bad and tasteless joke.
An arresting offense?
No, only in an increasingly self-precious and controlling society.
Jake December 25th, 2014 at 12:35 pm
I think it should be pointed out – the tweeter was in England not in Scotland – he was arrested in Sunderland not in Glasgow – that’s a city in a different country – so all the anti-Glasgow crap here should perhaps be directed at Sunderland or even England if you need a bigger target.
Denise December 26th, 2014 at 9:16 am
I read this at the Daily Mail, this writer needs to learn the difference between England and Scotland. The accident took place in Enlanf, you know, the country South of Scotland. Talk about lazy journalism