British Man Becomes World’s First Person Convicted For Sending A Tweet
NOT too much giggling in court please as Mr Paul Chambers, 26, is found guilty of sending a menacing electronic message via Twitter. When Robin Hood Airport was shut due to snow, Chambers fared the worst. He had arranged a date with woman he had met via Twitter. He was to jet to Northern Ireland to Tweet her in person.
Chambers, aka Crazy Colours, Tweeted:
“Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your s*** together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high!”
Chambers says his Tweets were “innocuous hyperbole”.
Airport security staff graded the message as “non credible”. So. Chambers was arrested under the Terrorism Act. His iPhone, laptop and home computer were confiscated. He s questioned for over six hours.
District judge, Jonathan Bennett, finds chambers guilty of sending public electronic message that was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing nature, contrary to the Communications Act 2003.
He is fined £385. He must also pay a £15 “victims surcharge” and £600 costs.
At least he wasn’t Tweeting from a public library, like this chap…
Spotter: Bat E Bird
Posted: 10th, May 2010 | In: Technology Comment (1) | TrackBack | Permalink
