Discussion
An 18 year old male has been issued with an £80 FPN in Deal, alledgedly for using the phrase "Eff all" - that's the letter F, not the expletive itself- in conversation with one of his friends in a public place, within earshot of a WPC. She took offence, he got the FPN, and he now want's his day in court. BBC R. Kent couldn't elicit any comment from the Kent BIB. Has the world gone mad?????????
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dirkgently said:
If this was done every time perhaps there would be fewer groups of young people hanging about f-ing
and blinding at all in sundry. Maybe the man will have more thought for the sensibilities of others next time.
Did you miss off a smiley or did you genuinely not actually read the original post?
Stories like this go some way to explain why some people have sweet Fanny Adams respect for authority these days...
Oops! Hope nobody heard that.
7db said:
Where did this occur -- assume context is important. A bit of swearing in the pub is usually more acceptable than in the waiting room to a nursery.
In a public park I believe. I've just heard an interview on R. Kent with the accused, and he recounted what he had said, but there was a BLEEP at the point where he said F, implying that he did use the expletive after all, contrary to earlier reports. Even so, IMHO, an excessive reaction.
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7db said:
Where did this occur -- assume context is important. A bit of swearing in the pub is usually more acceptable than in the waiting room to a nursery.
That depends on the pub and who is in there!
I would not expect my parents or children to go into a pub and be subjected to F-ing and blinding just because it was a pub. I would not tolerate being F-ed and blinded at if I was in any pub in an official capacity!
i saw his lips move !!!Davel said:
There's no need to swear at any copper and least of all a WPC!
Personally, I try not to swear in front of any woman if I can possibly control it.
Mind you there are times when my mouth runs ahead of my brain.
he didn't swear at a copper, he used the word in a conversation to his friend, the copper was nearby and overheard it.
Davel said:
There's no need to swear at any copper and least of all a WPC!
Personally, I try not to swear in front of any woman if I can possibly control it.
Mind you there are times when my mouth runs ahead of my brain.
The original post did not mention swearing at anybody, merely the WPC overheard a conversation between two lads.
If it is true, I hope she gets put to bed before the watershed. Wouldn't want her inadvertantly hearing vulgar profanities on that evil thing we call a television.
There are some seriously inadequate people in the Police who really should know better. Anyone would think that there was a law specifically banning swear words.
There are some seriously inadequate people in the Police who really should know better. Anyone would think that there was a law specifically banning swear words.
From the Daily Mirror:
20 February 2006
EXCLUSIVE: FINE FOR FALL
EXCLUSIVE Lad, 18. swore in chat with friends
By Pete Samson
TEENAGER Kurt Walker was given an £80 fine for saying "F*** all".
The 18-year-old youth worker was handed the fixed penalty after a WPC heard him use the expression in a park.
He said yesterday: "It's ridiculous - I was just chatting to a mate."
Kurt was walking to the youth centre where he works as a volunteer j when he stopped to talk to three friends. One asked what he had been doing. He replied: "F*** all, mate."
The policewoman, who had been telling off another teenager for riding his bike in a skateboarding area, overheard the remark and fined him for using "threatening, abusive or, insulting words". Now Kurt, from Deal in Kent, is refusing to pay and faces a court hearing next month. He has taken legal advice and wants the fine scrapped.
He said: "It's an expression I use quite a lot and it means nothing. Most young people say it, as well as a lot of older people. "But the policewoman just said, 'Watch your language or I can give you an £80 fine. In fact, you can have an £80 fine anyway'. I don't want to pay it because I don't believe I have committed a crime. I wasn't rude to the officer and the only people who heard it were her, her colleague and my friends.
"If I had sworn very loudly or directed it at the officer or a member of the public I'd understand it. But I was just having a chat with a mate."
A spokesman for Kent police said: "If he's not happy, he is entitled to his day in court and he may find sympathy there."
Fixed penalty notices are part of a Government crackdown on anti-social behaviour. But human rights group Liberty said last night: "This is a snapshot of summary justice in Tony Blair's Britain.
"How will kids learn to respect the law when it becomes a licence for petty bullying like this?"
7.
20 February 2006
EXCLUSIVE: FINE FOR FALL
EXCLUSIVE Lad, 18. swore in chat with friends
By Pete Samson
TEENAGER Kurt Walker was given an £80 fine for saying "F*** all".
The 18-year-old youth worker was handed the fixed penalty after a WPC heard him use the expression in a park.
He said yesterday: "It's ridiculous - I was just chatting to a mate."
Kurt was walking to the youth centre where he works as a volunteer j when he stopped to talk to three friends. One asked what he had been doing. He replied: "F*** all, mate."
The policewoman, who had been telling off another teenager for riding his bike in a skateboarding area, overheard the remark and fined him for using "threatening, abusive or, insulting words". Now Kurt, from Deal in Kent, is refusing to pay and faces a court hearing next month. He has taken legal advice and wants the fine scrapped.
He said: "It's an expression I use quite a lot and it means nothing. Most young people say it, as well as a lot of older people. "But the policewoman just said, 'Watch your language or I can give you an £80 fine. In fact, you can have an £80 fine anyway'. I don't want to pay it because I don't believe I have committed a crime. I wasn't rude to the officer and the only people who heard it were her, her colleague and my friends.
"If I had sworn very loudly or directed it at the officer or a member of the public I'd understand it. But I was just having a chat with a mate."
A spokesman for Kent police said: "If he's not happy, he is entitled to his day in court and he may find sympathy there."
Fixed penalty notices are part of a Government crackdown on anti-social behaviour. But human rights group Liberty said last night: "This is a snapshot of summary justice in Tony Blair's Britain.
"How will kids learn to respect the law when it becomes a licence for petty bullying like this?"
7.
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