Threatening e-mails
Author
Discussion

timskipper

Original Poster:

1,306 posts

297 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
If someone were to receive out of the blue an e-mail which contained a thinly veiled threat of violence towards the recipient, what should that person do about it?

They could just ignore it I suppose, but if they and/or their immediate family were distressed to think someone would do this, and of a mind to want the sender to realise that this is not an acceptable way to behave?

As I understand it, sending such an email would be an offence under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, and possibly the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Worth bothering the local nick with?

wasted years

4,330 posts

240 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
In the first instance it will be offenses against the communications act. Depending on what/why the message received normal advise is report to email service provider/add to spam list. Not an offence taken too seriously unless there is a specific need to.

Harassment legislation was initially set up for stalkers and since then everyone/thing has jumped on the band wagon crying harassment.

Six Fiend

6,067 posts

246 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
If you really really think it could be carried through then tell the BiB. ISPs are pathetic at jumping on this kind of thing.

Have been there with this as an extension of issues with a web forum user.

One e-mail on is probably not be enough though. I had a good file of evidence to present in the case I dealt with.

Edited by Six Fiend on Wednesday 28th November 13:07

timskipper

Original Poster:

1,306 posts

297 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
Six Fiend said:
Have been there with this as an extension of issues with a web forum user.
Out of interest, how was this concluded?

Six Fiend

6,067 posts

246 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
Local cyber crimes team dealt with it. Initial investigating BiB who came to collect evidence, and was sickened by it, made a journey to execute the arrest

Oik was arrested by BiB for making threats to kill and various other things relating to people having cause to fear for their personal safety. Harrassment was also on the list.

Charge reduced and lad given good behaviour bond etc. Computer seized and lad banned from all contact with those involved. Then monitored by Police and case worker. Any breach of the order and straight back to court.

He was 14 if I recall correctly.

ETA discussed here...

http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Edited by Six Fiend on Wednesday 28th November 15:05

timskipper

Original Poster:

1,306 posts

297 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
Nasty. I can see why that was taken seriously.

Jasandjules

72,681 posts

260 months

Wednesday 28th November 2007
quotequote all
If you post up the words, that may help make a decision as to what action to take.

Also, some background information, including any previous communications whether in writing or otherwise.

PHA requires more than one incident for starters.

wrinx

680 posts

271 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
timskipper said:
If someone were to receive out of the blue an e-mail which contained a thinly veiled threat of violence towards the recipient, what should that person do about it?

They could just ignore it I suppose, but if they and/or their immediate family were distressed to think someone would do this, and of a mind to want the sender to realise that this is not an acceptable way to behave?

As I understand it, sending such an email would be an offence under Section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988, and possibly the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. Worth bothering the local nick with?
I've also been a recipient...brainless person believed I was the reason for all his ills and threatened to inflict serious pain upon my person. I printed out all relevant info and was also able to give his name and home town (small world really!) to the Police and as far as I know details were passed to the local constabulary to give a warning.

Still get the odd bit of grief from this moron but I pity him now.

Communications Act was mentioned, ISP action and also general threatening behaviour iirc.

wrinx

Edited by wrinx on Sunday 2nd December 12:28

Fusion-Ed

109 posts

234 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
Had some sort of the same. Its still kind of on-going, but resorted to slander/libel instead of threats to me. I reported it to the police and got a number (woo) thing is SHOULD anything have happened at the time they would have known where to go immediately etc...

Turns out the other party has done the same to others too. However in this case they are fully grown up but it would appear thus far to be nothing more than a bit of a meat head with allot of verbal hot air.

Santa Claws

420 posts

231 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
Most knobends on the net who excell at the verbals are nothing more than 14 year old kids.

14 year old horny teenagers who have played one too many video games doesn't scare me.

holborn

87 posts

228 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
until some nuter with a samurai sword and a string vest turns up claiming too fight like ten truckers.

rich 36

13,739 posts

297 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
holborn said:
until some nutter with a Samurai sword and a string vest turns up claiming to fight like Ten Truckers.
Wow the might of Ten Truckers eh, formidable stuff,

Sounds like something from 'House of flying Toys'
thank heavens we are insulated from such wuffians' here.

Edited by rich 36 on Sunday 2nd December 14:47

holborn

87 posts

228 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
ruff ruff biggrinbiggrinbiggrin

wrinx

680 posts

271 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
holborn said:
until some nuter with a samurai sword and a string vest turns up claiming too fight like ten truckers.
Remember this?

http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/tech_...

wrinx

rich 36

13,739 posts

297 months

Sunday 2nd December 2007
quotequote all
From The Times
October 18, 2006
Man has tyres slashed in 'web rage'
Police have warned chat-room users not to include personal details after a poster was tracked down.

By Fran Yeoman
POLICE warned internet users to protect their real identities after a man was convicted yesterday of Britain’s first “web rage” attack.
Raf dugout, 47, of Nowhere, attacked John Jones with a Balloon-on-a-stick,
causing some redness about scrotum, after tracing Mr Speed to his house after an argument in an online chat room.

Dugout pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to unlawful wounding yesterday in what police said was the first conviction of its kind. Th....