Man Arrested Over 'Racist' Muamba Tweets

[Mrluvaluva]

A 21-year-old man has been arrested after racially offensive Twitter comments were made about footballer Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup tie.

He is being held at Swansea Central police station, South Wales Police said.
The comments appeared on the Twitter account @liamstacey9, which has since been taken down.

While the feed was still visible comments claimed that his account had been hacked.
Other users of the micro-blogging service responded with outrage to the remarks.


read more.. (http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16191419)


Page of @liamstacey9:

nA5v2eZ5ZZE


There are some very sad and sick individuals in this world.

[swinearefine]

What happened to free speech?

[arista]

There are some very sad and sick individuals in this world.

Very True Mr.L

[Shaun]

I really don't think you should arrest someone for that. There are so many racists, homophobes and misogynists on Twitter and every other website that don't go unpunished (and shouldn't) and unless there was threatening behaviour it's really not a crime :shrug:

[Kizzy]

Listen to the cheers and the applause from the supporters of the rival team...
v6iTSAwGo1Y&feature=related

[Black Dagger]

His tweets last night were absolutely ****ing disgusting.

[Mystic Mock]

Tbh as sick as the comments are he hasn't committed a crime,his just stating his opinion and the last time I checked I thought this country allowed free speech,but clearly it's only if it's the Governments opinion.

[SoBig]

Good.

Racism needs to be stopped. Its nothing but ignorance.

[SoBig]

What happened to free speech?
Wow...

[Tom4784]

Although distasteful he shouldn't be arrested for simply practicing free speech.

[Kazanne]

a 21-year-old man has been arrested after racially offensive twitter comments were made about footballer fabrice muamba, who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during an fa cup tie.

He is being held at swansea central police station, south wales police said.
The comments appeared on the twitter account @liamstacey9, which has since been taken down.

While the feed was still visible comments claimed that his account had been hacked.
Other users of the micro-blogging service responded with outrage to the remarks.


read more.. (http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16191419)


there are some very sad and sick individuals in this world.

this^

[Marc]

He got arrested? :shrug: why?

He can say whatever he wants. It's terrible that he was making those jokes but seriously?

Next they'll be arresting one of us

[Shaun]

His tweets last night were absolutely ****ing disgusting.

Where did you find them? They weren't in the article :/

[Black Dagger]

Where did you find them? They weren't in the article :/

I saw them as they were being written down last night before they all got taken down, they were repulsive, there was no 'free speech' about it, it was pure unjust hatred.

[Kizzy]

The hate laws mean it is against the law to incite racial hatred. So no you cant just saw whatever the heck you like.

[Fetch The Bolt Cutters]

i hate all this free speech bull**** like anybody should be able to say whatever they want... just no.

hope he gets raped in prison by somebody with aids

just practicing free speech xoxo

[Mrluvaluva]

I believe in free speech but there has to be some limitations (which I am sure someone will argue is therefore not). If we all went round saying exactly what we liked I wouldn't like to comprehend what the world may be like. It's not just the fact that some of the comments were racist, there were other comments that were posted that were extremely distasteful, especially for his family to read, when a mans life is hanging in the balance, irrespective of someones colour or creed. Just because there are so many other examples of such like that get overlooked and go unpunished, doesn't make them any less acceptable.

[Niamh.]

I saw them as they were being written down last night before they all got taken down, they were repulsive, there was no 'free speech' about it, it was pure unjust hatred.

Yeah there is a difference between free speech and pure hatred. Racism should not be tolerated and passing it off as free speech is not acceptable imo, I'm glad they've arrested that guy if they were as bad as you say.

[Niamh.]

I believe in free speech but there has to be some limitations (which I am sure someone will argue is therefore not). If we all went round saying exactly what we liked I wouldn't like to comprehend what the world may be like. It's not just the fact that some of the comments were racist, there were other comments that were posted that were extremely distasteful, especially for his family to read, when a mans life is hanging in the balance, irrespective of someones colour or creed. Just because there are so many other examples of such like that get overlooked and go unpunished, doesn't make them any less acceptable.

:worship:

[Livia]

Tbh as sick as the comments are he hasn't committed a crime,his just stating his opinion and the last time I checked I thought this country allowed free speech,but clearly it's only if it's the Governments opinion.

I didn't see what he wrote, but if he hadn't committed a crime he wouldn't have been arrested. In some countries where they do not have free speech, a comment about the government like you've made, JF, would get you thrown in prison. We can say what we like about the government here because we do have free speech... but making hateful racist comments isn't free speech, it's hateful racism.

[Marc]

Free speech or hateful racism, I still think being arrested because of a website is a little OTT

[Shaun]

i hate all this free speech bull**** like anybody should be able to say whatever they want... just no.

hope he gets raped in prison by somebody with aids

just practicing free speech xoxo

Yeah because that's so alien to the usual things you post...

[Jack_]

I'd have to see the comments first before passing judgement.

If they were jokes, then it's an overreaction, but if they were just malicious, hateful remarks then I fully support his arrest.

[lostalex]

What happened to free speech?

seriously. the idea that saying something rude can put you in jail, disgusting. Appeasing the populist masses.

Racism is RIFE in British sport, but they pick scapegoats once and a while to PRETEND to be doing something. As long at they APPEAR to be doing something about it.

Like putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

[Niamh.]

seriously. the idea that saying something rude can put you in jail, disgusting. Appeasing the populist masses.

There is a difference between saying something rude and racism. I haven't seen the comments but I would assume that if the police saw fit to arrest this guy they must have been pretty racist and hatred inciting.

[lostalex]

There is a difference between saying something rude and racism. I haven't seen the comments but I would assume that if the police saw fit to arrest this guy they must have been pretty racist and hatred inciting.

well there is a difference between American views of free speech and European views.

Personally i don't believe words should ever be criminalized, no matter how hateful they are, they are still just words. And this was ONLINE.

Where are all the ANTI-SOPA people now worried about censoring the internet??

words are words, actions are actions.

[Niamh.]

well there is a difference between American views of free speech and European views.

Personally i don't believe words should ever be punished, no matter how hateful they are, they are still just words. And this was ONLINE.

Where are all the ANTI-SOPA people now worried about censoring the internet??

words are words, actions are actions.

Words cause actions. I'm glad that over here the police think like me and not you then :idc:

[lostalex]

Words cause actions. I'm glad that over here the police think like me and not you then :idc:

hmm, yet you are still just as if not more racist in Europe, so obviously criminalizing words does nothing to stop racism.

[Kizzy]

Why would you suggest europeans are more racist?
Do you have any evidence to support that comment alex?

[Marc]

Alex you can't call people racist or insinuate that somebody is more racist than you based on their nationality.

[lostalex]

Why would you suggest europeans are more racist?
Do you have any evidence to support that comment alex?

i never said that. Stop making crap up plz.

[swinearefine]

Wow...

Wow what? Fools can say what they like, if you're a mature person you should be able to understand that there are hateful people and not let it upset you so much. It's very dangerous when having unpopular opinions can get you arrested.

[lostalex]

Alex you can't call people racist or insinuate that somebody is more racist than you based on their nationality.

i never said any nationality was more racist.

[swinearefine]

Words cause actions. I'm glad that over here the police think like me and not you then :idc:

There's a difference between espousing hatred and inciting people to carry out hateful actions. If someone is trying to get people to commit crimes, that's when it goes beyond just free speech and should be deemed a crime.

[Ammi]

These half stories are annoying..what was said is the whole point of this and I don't know what that was..unless I do..I'll just have to trust that it justified the police arrest

[Livia]

There's a difference between espousing hatred and inciting people to carry out hateful actions. If someone is trying to get people to commit crimes, that's when it goes beyond just free speech and should be deemed a crime.

You don't know what he said any more than I do. And yet... already there are people standing up for his right post stuff racist enough to have got him arrested.

I wonder how many people advocating people's right to say racist things have ever been racially abused themselves. Not many, I bet.

[lostalex]

There's a difference between espousing hatred and inciting people to carry out hateful actions. If someone is trying to get people to commit crimes, that's when it goes beyond just free speech and should be deemed a crime.

eggsactly.

If someone encourages people to ACT violently against another race, then THAT is a crime. But saying some thing racist as a belief or as a joke or anyother reason should not be a crime.

IF it's a crime to say something racist, then surely any kind of discriminatory speach should be crimnal, and half of the UK should be in jail for homophobia.

I guess we should lock up every teenager that says "that's gay" on a youtube video.

[Niamh.]

There's a difference between espousing hatred and inciting people to carry out hateful actions. If someone is trying to get people to commit crimes, that's when it goes beyond just free speech and should be deemed a crime.

Well, it's all speculation anyway because I have no idea what was actually said but it must have been pretty bad for the police to actually arrest the guy

[lostalex]

You don't know what he said any more than I do. And yet... already there are people standing up for his right post stuff racist enough to have got him arrested.

I wonder how many people advocating people's right to say racist things have ever been racially abused themselves. Not many, I bet.

Everyone has faced discrimination in some form Livia, and racism is no worse than any other form of discrimination.

[Mrluvaluva]

These half stories are annoying..what was said is the whole point of this and I don't know what that was..unless I do..I'll just have to trust that it justified the police arrest

As the story says, the comments are still in the feed.

[Brother Leon]

He went as far as to laugh at the thought of his mother crying over his "HIV infested, criminal body". He can rot in hell as far as I care.


Would love to see him encounter some real "black criminals" in a Jail. He would barely make it out the first day.

[Mystic Mock]

Tbf if he was hurting someone violently because of the colour of there skin then I would be the first to say lock him up,but as he made distasteful and vile jokes (which loads of us have done in the past) then he shouldn't be locked up imo as you don't see people on here being arrested for calling Nadia a dick and a knob,and trust me they mean't it as a transphobic remark.

[lostalex]

He went as far as to laugh at the thought of his mother crying over his "HIV infested, criminal body". He can rot in hell as far as I care.


Would love to see him encounter some real "black criminals" in a Jail. He would barely make it out the first day.

what a lovely and enlightened response. nice to see that you are taking the high ground.

[Livia]

He went as far as to laugh at the thought of his mother crying over his "HIV infested, criminal body". He can rot in hell as far as I care.

Would love to see him encounter some real "black criminals" in a Jail. He would barely make it out the first day.

Sitting in the safety of his bedroom posting this stuff he probably felt very safe and justified. Now... not so much.

[Marc]

hmm, yet you are still just as if not more racist in Europe, so obviously criminalizing words does nothing to stop racism.

i never said any nationality was more racist.

Insinuating that it's likely that we European's are more racist.

[lostalex]

I bet these same people justifying criminal action for this guy posting in his dark bedroom, are the same people that defend Gary Mckinnon, and other UK internet users that are being extradited to the US...

hmmm, interesting hipocrisy.

[lostalex]

Insinuating that it's likely that we European's are more racist.

ummm no, i said just as, if not more.

do you think Europeans are any less racist than Americans?

I said JUST AS if not more.

Please don't play stupid semantics games, it's tedious.

[Niamh.]

I bet these same people justifying criminal action for this guy posting in his dark bedroom, are the same people that defend Gary Mckinnon, and other UK internet users that are being extradited to the US...

hmmm, interesting hipocrisy.

Don't turn this thread into another America V's Europe/UK ordeal Alex

[Livia]

I bet these same people justifying criminal action for this guy posting in his dark bedroom, are the same people that defend Gary Mckinnon, and other UK internet users that are being extradited to the US...

hmmm, interesting hipocrisy.

Supposition.

[Brother Leon]

what a lovely and enlightened response. nice to see that you are taking the high ground.

Why should I?


Racism is bad enough, but to then make racist jokes over someone who has possibly died doing his job and entertaining millions is another level...throw in the fact he decided to bring up his mother aswell who would have watched her son struggle to breathe and remain alive on her T.V the day before Mothers Day and I have every reason to wish the person the very worse in his future life.

[Mystic Mock]

ummm no, i said just as, if not more.

do you think Europeans are any less racist than Americans?

I said JUST AS if not more.

Please don't play stupid semantics games, it's tedious.

Why mention Europeans when the thread is about racist remarks about Fabrice Muamba on Twitter?

[lostalex]

Don't turn this thread into another America V's Europe/UK ordeal Alex

I'm American, obviously i'm gong to be offering an AMERICAN perspective, that can't be helped.

[Marc]

ummm no, i said just as, if not more.

do you think Europeans are any less racist than Americans?

I said JUST AS if not more.

Please don't play stupid semantics games, it's tedious.

:joker: I'm not playing any games, I'm just saying what I read. Why don't you just read what you've written before posting because what you said to start this all off makes it sound as if you're insinuating that Europe is more racist than the US

[lostalex]

Why mention Europeans when the thread is about racist remarks about Fabrice Muamba on Twitter?
i mentioned Europe, because Free Speech laws are very different between Europe and the America, i was pointing out why my opinions would be different, and also acknowledging that our legal systems are very different on this issue.

[Marc]

:laugh: There's no rationalising with you

[Mystic Mock]

i mentioned Europe, because Free Speech laws are very different between Europe and the America, i was pointing out why my opinions would be different, and also acknowledging that our legal systems are very different on this issue.

I agree with you on that but the way you posted it made us all think you was trying to start a US vs UK debate again.

[lostalex]

:joker: I'm not playing any games, I'm just saying what I read. Why don't you just read what you've written before posting because what you said to start this all off makes it sound as if you're insinuating that Europe is more racist than the US

well i wasn't saying Europe is MORE racist, i said just as racist, and i think you can aknowledge that Europe is certainly just as racist as America is.

I only mentioned it because you have these much stricter free speech laws, but yur still just as racist, that's all i'm saying.

I was just making the point that having more restrictions on speech doesn't make a place less racist.

[Niamh.]

I'm American, obviously i'm gong to be offering an AMERICAN perspective, that can't be helped.

There are people from the UK disagreeing with the guys arrest as well, it's not just an American idea it seems and I would guess that alot of Americans would agree with his arrest also, I'm pretty sure all of you don't think the same way.

[lostalex]

There are people from the UK disagreeing with the guys arrest as well, it's not just an American idea it seems and I would guess that alot of Americans would agree with his arrest also, I'm pretty sure all of you don't think the same way.

That is certainly true, but i have an American perspective in the sense that i'm more familiar with the American legal system and live under American laws. I'm obviously less familiar with European laws and it's justice system. That;'s all i meant by having an American perspective, and i can't help but compare the 2 systems from MY perspective here.

[Kizzy]

i never said that. Stop making crap up plz.


Im not, if you can't back up what you say then it's you making crap up alex.

[swinearefine]

You don't know what he said any more than I do. And yet... already there are people standing up for his right post stuff racist enough to have got him arrested.

I wonder how many people advocating people's right to say racist things have ever been racially abused themselves. Not many, I bet.

Of course I'm standing up for his right to post racist messages. As I have already said, I do not stand for inciting people to violence through racist messages.

And as a matter of fact I do endure abuse every day because of prejudice, so I have an excellent perspective on this issue.

[thesheriff443]

freedom of speach!
you only have to look at what hitler did with it,
to know left unchecked what it can do!

[Mystic Mock]

freedom of speach!
you only have to look at what hitler did with it,
to know left unchecked what it can do!

Like this guy was gonna be as destructive as Hitler.:joker:

[fruit_cake]

Sometimes I think by trying to muzzle these people up you just make them angrier, and justify their hated. They end up doing something far worse than just posting a message on twitter.

What this man said is appalling but maybe he needs to be left to say it, because ultimately somebody as ignorant as that invariably ends up looking like a fool if they are left to speak for too long.

As things stand he's going to be made into a martyr for Racists everywhere if he's arrested in my view.

[Mystic Mock]

I agree with you Fruit Cake.

[thesheriff443]

Like this guy was gonna be as destructive as Hitler.:joker:

let one spread hatred and others will follow,
how long before these low lifes take it further than just talking!

[Mystic Mock]

let one spread hatred and others will follow,
how long before these low lifes take it further than just talking!

When they take it further then that's when they should be arrested in my view,unless they threatened to kill him of course.

[Kizzy]

To be fair words can do an awful lot of harm, it may sound funny laughing about hitler but propaganda if a powerful tool.
Look at the EDL and BNP they whip ignorant people into a frenzy of hate.

[lostalex]

freedom of speach!
you only have to look at what hitler did with it,
to know left unchecked what it can do!

but Mien Kampf is still on sale in british book shops is it not?

[Boothy]

I saw Chels (from this forum) tweet that he went to the same school as her or something. Seemed like a proper knobhead.

His account's been deleted now but I've found a screenshot of some of his tweets.

https://p.twimg.com/AoTEbVNCEAE1j3q.jpg

[InOne]

I think it's good he's been arrested, relentless trolls like this are the ones that make kids kill themselves and stuff and get away with it. It's good to make an example of him.

[GypsyGoth]

He seems like a scumbag.

[lostalex]

he's clearly in the middle of an angry argument. i don't see him inciting violence against anyone. He's not encouraging white people to go attack black people, he's talking to a specific person, clearly very emotional and angry and just trying to attack this one person he's talking to.

It's ridiculous that he'd be arrested for this kind of thing, You can hear worse than this on almost any youtube flamefest.

[Niall]

I agree that the remarks he made were disgusting, but to arrest him for exercising his right to free speech is the start of a slippery slope. Maybe ban him from Twitter, but arresting him is waaay too far.

[lostalex]

We see a new racist tram lady every week on youtube, how many of them are in jail??

[thesheriff443]

just beacuse others are not in jail it dont make it right.

[GypsyGoth]

he's clearly in the middle of an angry argument. i don't see him inciting violence against anyone. He's not encouraging white people to go attack black people, he's talking to a specific person, clearly very emotional and angry and just trying to attack this one person he's talking to.

It's ridiculous that he'd be arrested for this kind of thing, You can hear worse than this on almost any youtube flamefest.

That's a good point, I think because people are still pretty emotional about Muamba, so it makes it seems that what he's doing is something much worse than it is.

[Brother Leon]

You guys do realise that if he said this stuff in public to someone, he would be arrested?


Why should it be different if he does it from the safety of the Internet. Not so big an Internet gangster now I am pretty sure.

[Kizzy]

He may just get a slap on the wrist, but it will serve for those who think this kind of thing is acceptable.

[lostalex]

You guys do realise that if he said this stuff in public to someone, he would be arrested?


Why should it be different if he does it from the safety of the Internet. Not so big an Internet gangster now I am pretty sure.

because it's impossible to be violent online, that's the difference, if it happened in real life, there would be a real possibility of violence, there is no possibility of violence online.

he was isolated in his home safe and sound, as was the person he was arguing with, both were in no threat of violence.

[thesheriff443]

wrong internet bully can make someone take their own life and it has.

[Brother Leon]

because it's impossible to be violent online, that's the difference, if it happened in real life, there would be a real possibility of violence, there is no possibility of violence online.

So by your logic, you should not be punished for being a cowardly racist who is hiding behind a computer, however if you at least showed the slightest bit of guts to be real and say it in public, you should...............Hmm okay, there is no difference for me.

[lostalex]

well after reading the actual tweets, i don't believe he did anything criminal.

he was disgusting, and racist, and vile to every sensibility, but criminal? no.

[lostalex]

So by your logic, you should not be punished for being a cowardly racist who is hiding behind a computer, however if you at least showed the slightest bit of guts to be real and say it in public, you should...............Hmm okay, there is no difference for me.

It's not a crime to be racist. There is no law against being a racist. There are laws against discrimination and ACTIONS against people because of racism, but it is not a CRIME to be a racist.

Like i said before, if it was a crime to just say something prejudice, then yur saying that every teenager that's ever said "that's gay" on youtube should be put in jail too. Do you think every teenager that's said something homophobic should be put in jail??

[MTVN]

Hmm while I don't want to just loudly proclaim "free speech" - that sort of legitimises this sort of thing and is often used by people who try and excuse racism - this sort of thing is a massive grey area. Shaun mentioned how prevalent stuff like this is online and it's true if you just look at a site like sickipedia, and also who gets to decide where the line is drawn in any case? Why are the BNP and other parties who are actually more extreme than that (look up the British Peoples Party) allowed to stir up racial hatred in a far more dangerous way when this idiot gets arrested for some stupid, and yes disgusting, comments on Twitter. I don't like this sort of thing to be defended but I don't really see how you can realistically put limits on freedom of speech and allow the state the right to be the ones to have the power to say what's right/what isn't, what's acceptable/what isn't, what's "hate speech" and what isn't. It's a slippery slope when you start to criminalise words and it isn't something I'm comfortable with

[Mrluvaluva]

As stated above, the screenshot is some of his tweets. Apparently, "police forces throughout the UK regularly take action against those who use Twitter to express racially offensive remarks.

The practice is so common that none feel the need to issue a public statement indicating it has happened."

[Kizzy]

It's not a crime to be racist. There is no law against being a racist. There are laws against discrimination and ACTIONS against people because of racism, but it is not a CRIME to be a racist.

Like i said before, if it was a crime to just say something prejudice, then yur saying that every teenager that's ever said "that's gay" should be put in jail too. Do you think every teenager that's said something homophobic should be put in jail??

You have to look at it proportionatly alex.
As far as we know he has only been questioned, not charged so if he has broken any law it will be reported.

[lostalex]

Criminalizing words is never okay in my book. There was no violence, there was no person directly harmed.

Just because you are OFFENDED by what he said, does not make him a CRIMINAL.

He's being scapegoated imo. They can demonize this one individual to make it look like they are doing something, meanwhile the larger issue of racism in soccer get's to skate by underneath, and the League doesn't have to take any responsibility for the LARGER issue of racism at matches.

[Kizzy]

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/rrpbcrbook.html#a02

[SoBig]

Of course I'm standing up for his right to post racist messages.

But let me guess, you aren't racist at all right?

[Boothy]

Criminalizing words is never okay in my book. There was no violence, there was no person directly harmed.

Just because you are OFFENDED by what he said, does not make him a CRIMINAL.

He's being scapegoated imo. They can demonize this one individual to make it look like they are doing something, meanwhile the larger issue of racism in soccer get's to skate by underneath, and the League doesn't have to take any responsibility for the LARGER issue of racism at matches.

I agree with BIB, tbh.

[SoBig]

standing up for free speech means you are a racist?

disgusting logic.

There is no such thing as freedom speech.

If I said I was going to kill the president of the United States of America. Best believe the FBI would come after my ass.

[MTVN]

There is no such thing as freedom speech.

If I said I was going to kill the president of the United States of America. Best believe the FBI would come after my ass.

And so how do you figure out where to draw the line between what makes someone a criminal and what doesn't?

[lostalex]

There is no such thing as freedom speech.

If I said I was going to kill the president of the United States of America. Best believe the FBI would come after my ass.

That is a threat. i don't see any threats in these tweets...

[lostalex]

As stated above, the screenshot is some of his tweets. Apparently, "police forces throughout the UK regularly take action against those who use Twitter to express racially offensive remarks.

The practice is so common that none feel the need to issue a public statement indicating it has happened."


well if THAT is true it should be concerning to every UK citizen. That people are routinely being arrested for their TWEETS and no one knows about it???

That doesn't worry you?

[SoBig]

And so how do you figure out where to draw the line between what makes someone a criminal and what doesn't?
Words that incites hate.

That is a threat. i don't see any threats in these tweets...
Then there is no such thing as FREEDOM OF SPEECH. If saying those words gets you arrested.

[Mrluvaluva]

well if THAT is true it should be concerning to every UK citizen. That people are routinely being arrested for their TWEETS and no one knows about it???

That doesn't worry you?

In what way should every citizen in the UK be concerned? I am sure the vast majority of people would not post such offensive and inappropriate matter.

[Brother Leon]

well if THAT is true it should be concerning to every UK citizen. That people are routinely being arrested for their TWEETS and no one knows about it???

That doesn't worry you?


It shouldn't worry you if you are not racist.

End

[SoBig]

well if THAT is true it should be concerning to every UK citizen. That people are routinely being arrested for their TWEETS and no one knows about it???

That doesn't worry you?
If no one knew about it then he wouldn't have gotten arrested.

[lostalex]

Words that incites hate.


Then there is not such thing as FREEDOM OF SPEECH. If saying those words gets you arrested.

wrong, freedom of speech is like every other freedom, your freedoms end when they impose on someone elses freedoms.

Threatening someone's safety obviously imposes on their rights.

These tweets don't impose on anyone else's rights, everyone has a right to use their freedom of speech to tell him what a racist prick he is.

[MTVN]

Words that incites hate

But that in itself is pretty ambiguous and subjective, who defines what words are inciting hate and which aren't? And surely by this logic the likes of the BNP and the EDL shouldn't even be allowed to exist?

[lostalex]

If no one knew about it then he wouldn't have gotten arrested.

obviously i'm talking about before this story came out, although the media isn't reporting that it is common practice for people to be arrested over using the "N" word in tweets.

If this is true that it is common practice, i'd like to know how many other people in the UK have been arrested for using the "N" word in tweets.

[Brother Leon]

He obviously isn't goign jail anyway.


He should just be thrown in the middle of Peckham,Brixton etc and told to make his own way out.

[Brother Leon]

He obviously isn't goign jail anyway.


He should just be thrown in the middle of Peckham,Brixton etc and told to make his own way out.

[InOne]

He obviously isn't goign jail anyway.


He should just be thrown in the middle of Peckham,Brixton etc and told to make his own way out.

Violence wouldn't help race relations now would it :nono:

[Livia]

He obviously isn't goign jail anyway.

He should just be thrown in the middle of Peckham,Brixton etc and told to make his own way out.

I'm guessing he wouldn't have quite so much to say.

[swinearefine]

But let me guess, you aren't racist at all right?

Aren't you wise, no I'm not. Sorry to disappoint you.

[lostalex]

It shouldn't worry you if you are not racist.

End

there is no such thing as racism because there is no such thing as race, every person on the planet is mixed race. that has already been proven by geneticists.

What we are talking about is prejudice, and every single person on the planet is PREJUDICED.

If you deny ever having a prejudiced thought then you are a liar.

I'm sick of PEople using THE WORD "racism" to DEMONIZE people and BULLY people, it's disgusting.

EVERYONE is prejudiced.

until we have an HONEST conversation about prejudice, without using bullying terms like "racism" then we arn't going to move forward. Pointing fingers gets us NOWHERE.

Pointing fingers, and name-calling just causes MORE division.

[lostalex]

F yu all, Madonna rules everything.

ZNYidvcImUU

[Wildcat!]

Why would anyone get arrested for that? Maybe its to discourage the other few, but he probably wont be charged with anything.
I understand the sentiment though,

[Redway]

I'm glad they've arrested him. If you're a racist, keep it to yourself. I managed to read a few of those tweets and they were downright horrible and not on. The day before mothers' day as well. :(

[Redway]

there is no such thing as racism because there is no such thing as race, every person on the planet is mixed race. that has already been proven by geneticists.

What we are talking about is prejudice, and every single person on the planet is PREJUDICED.

If you deny ever having a prejudiced thought then you are a liar.

I'm sick of PEople using THE WORD "racism" to DEMONIZE people and BULLY people, it's disgusting.

EVERYONE is prejudiced.

until we have an HONEST conversation about prejudice, without using bullying terms like "racism" then we arn't going to move forward. Pointing fingers gets us NOWHERE.

Pointing fingers, and name-calling just causes MORE division.
Did you actually READ those posts? :bored: Why try and defend him?

[fruit_cake]

Did you actually READ those posts? :bored: Why try and defend him?

I don't agree that LostAlex is defending him, in my opinion he's defending his freedom of speech, it's not the same thing.

[Mrluvaluva]

ThisismyEngland (http://thisismyengland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/best-and-worst-in-people.html) highlighting yet another idiot

[Livia]

Unfortunately there is no idiot shortage.

[Redway]

I don't agree that LostAlex is defending him, in my opinion he's defending his freedom of speech, it's not the same thing.

Well, I just find it quite telling that he said that people were trying to demonise and bully people when that's EXACTLY what that racist was doing.

[Mrluvaluva]

A Twitter 'troll' has appeared in court in Swansea to admit writing racist and offensive tweets about soccer star Fabrice Muamba.

Swansea University student Liam Stacey, 21, appeared in Swansea Magistrates' Court after his comments about the Bolton Wanderers player.

Magistrates heard Stacey tried to "distance himself" from the comments by saying his account had been hacked.

He later tried to delete his page, but police arrested him on Sunday morning at his student home in Swansea.

This morning, he pleaded guilty to a racially-aggravated public order offence to incite violence.

Stacey was freed on bail on condition he stays off Twitter and other social networking sites. He will be sentenced next week - but was warned he could face jail.


Link (http://www.itv.com/news/wales/)

[Vicky.]

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/prosecution/rrpbcrbook.html#a02

The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report was published in February 1999, and defined a racist incident as:

˜... any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person."

We accept this definition.


This seems quite ridiculous to me actually. This reads as if...for instance...someone was talking about needing a bottle of milk. I get offended because milk is white and I am overly sensitive and think they are slagging me. So therefor the person speaking about milk is racist.


On topic though, I'm a bit torn. Reading the tweets that have been posted..yeah the person is undoubtably racist and ignorant, but I dont really see any need for an arrest or anything :S

[Mystic Mock]

I still can't get over that he tried to make out his account was hacked lol.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

sorry if it's been posted already but what did the tweet say?

[Brother Leon]

Will LOL if he gets Jail Time.


#ForeveraVictim.

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Will LOL if he gets Jail Time.


#ForeveraVictim.

to be honest, what will that stop. He's just one amongst many. Arresting him as a scapegoat? Have they also arrested all those that actualy make monkey noises during matches and call names? or is this one a "special" case because Muamba is loved?

having said that, don't know how bad what he said was so arrest may be justified. Not saying I am for racism of course not, just saying if you're going to arrest him make an effort to arrest the rest aswell.

[GypsyGoth]

sorry if it's been posted already but what did the tweet say?

Here it is here, but I think maybe there was more. He apparently deleted his twitter account after it started to become a scandal.


https://p.twimg.com/AoTEbVNCEAE1j3q.jpg

[Ithinkiloveyoutoo]

Here it is here, but I think maybe there was more. He apparently deleted his twitter account after it started to become a scandal.

Oh ok thank you.

Seen worst to be honest. But if they want to arrest him, not opposed.

They should also arrest funny racist on twitter. he's offended plenty :joker:

Maybe I would be more offended if his insults were more intellectual/if he seemed smart. Go rape your dog..... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

or maybe i'm just too tired to be offended right now :confused:

[Brother Leon]

I was only really annoyed when he mentioned how funny it will be to see his "Aid infested,criminal body" as his mother cries over him. He deleted it fairly quickly, but either way you got to be ****ed in the head to say something like that.

[Kizzy]

My god you should see some of the stuff facebook trolls post...and pics too! thats why i left some groups in search of a 'nice' one.
There should be a whole division of police designated to these sickos, its becoming an epidemic!

[Mrluvaluva]

to be honest, what will that stop. He's just one amongst many. Arresting him as a scapegoat? Have they also arrested all those that actualy make monkey noises during matches and call names? or is this one a "special" case because Muamba is loved?

having said that, don't know how bad what he said was so arrest may be justified. Not saying I am for racism of course not, just saying if you're going to arrest him make an effort to arrest the rest aswell.

I think it would be very hard to arrest a large number of people making monkey noises at a match compared to the acts of an individual. It would be a very lengthy drawn out process, costing a huge amount of money, and taking a vast amount of manpower to establish something that would most probably amount to very little. The comments seem to some to be less offensive as this was "online", or "because of a website", when compared to it being verbally outspoken, I assume. It is, in fact, much easier to prosecute in such cases, as it is there in black and white for all to see. No need for witnesses and the word of someone over somebody else. Yes, it's high profile, because it concerned Muamba, but many people sought to report this, and I applaud that.

[iRyan]

What? I didn't know you could be arrested for that...

[Mystic Mock]

I was only really annoyed when he mentioned how funny it will be to see his "Aid infested,criminal body" as his mother cries over him. He deleted it fairly quickly, but either way you got to be ****ed in the head to say something like that.

I agree with you on that and I can understand everybody's reaction on here,but in my personal view he hasn't committed a crime by saying what his said.

[Niamh.]

I think it's good he's been arrested, relentless trolls like this are the ones that make kids kill themselves and stuff and get away with it. It's good to make an example of him.

Yes exactly Joe. Bullying and abusing someone like that in person would not be tolerated so I don't understand why people think that it's acceptable to do it while hiding behind their computer.

[Livia]

I agree with InOne and Niamh.

The Internet has given a platform to the stupidest, shallowest people in society and allows them to spew out their bile for everyone to read, whereas before they would have had to stand in the street and say it. None of these heroes would stand up and say half the things they say online if they weren't safely behind a locked door. Amazing then that there are people who defend their right to be abusive and call it "free speech".

[Niamh.]

I agree with InOne and Niamh.

The Internet has given a platform to the stupidest, shallowest people in society and allows them to spew out their bile for everyone to read, whereas before they would have had to stand in the street and say it. None of these heroes would stand up and say half the things they say online if they weren't safely behind a locked door. Amazing then that there are people who defend their right to be abusive and call it "free speech".

Yeah, I watched a program last night about Internet trolls, one they focused on in particular was a guy who trolled the remembrance page of a teenager who'd killed himself because of Internet bullying. It was funny how this guy wasn't as eager to exercise his right to free speech when you could see his face and he had to talk to an actual person with his mouth and not his fingers.

[waterhog]

whole story is horribe hey.

[Livia]

Yeah, I watched a program last night about Internet trolls, one they focused on in particular was a guy who trolled the remembrance page of a teenager who'd killed himself because of Internet bullying. It was funny how this guy wasn't as eager to exercise his right to free speech when you could see his face and he had to talk to an actual person with his mouth and not his fingers.

What a hero.

I detest the BNP and I detest the Muslim protesters who burn poppies, but at least they have the courage of their convictions.

[Niamh.]

What a hero.

I detest the BNP and I detest the Muslim protesters who burn poppies, but at least they have the courage of their convictions.

Yeah, atleast theirs come from a genuine belief in something (how ever misguided it seems) These internet trolls know what they're doing is wrong and sick so they're not voicing what they actually believe, they're posting this crap to deliberately rile and hurt people, that doesn't qualify as free speech imo, that qualifies as harassment.

[Jesus.]

I believe wholeheartedly in the virtues of free speech, and defend this guys right to post what he did. I haven't seen any of the tweets and I'm late to this thread, but if there are people out there that think like that, then I think it's good for his employers, family and the rest of society to see exactly what he is like.

I'm an advocate of free speech, but what results from that is fair game. Prospective employers will have a hard time employing this guy, and he will have a hard time being accepted by any potential co-workers. His racism will affect the rest of his life, which is a lot better than thought crimes affecting how we express ourselves.

I believe in free speech, not consequence-free speech.

[Niamh.]

That's a different way of looking at it Jesus, the problem is though, with most of these internet Trolls, they do what they do anonymously so they don't have to face any consequences for their actions in the real world.

[MTVN]

What a hero.

I detest the BNP and I detest the Muslim protesters who burn poppies, but at least they have the courage of their convictions.

Yet their racism and prejudice is far more dangerous and has far more consequences than this idiots tweets do, but it's more acceptable because they're honest about it?

[Niamh.]

Yet their racism and prejudice is far more dangerous and has far more consequences than this idiots tweets do, but it's more acceptable because they're honest about it?

I don't think she was saying it's more acceptable, she was replying to my post and the fact that the guy I was talking about was happy to exercise his free speech while being anonymous but not so much when he wasn't.

[Livia]

Yet their racism and prejudice is far more dangerous and has far more consequences than this idiots tweets do, but it's more acceptable because they're honest about it?

I don't agree that their prejudice is far more dangerous. However prejudiced and bigoted their message, they are willing to stand up and be counted. These Internet Warriors wouldn't have the guts to say to someone's face the stuff they type. The Internet allows every moron in the world to log on and have a say without having to face up to the consequences... only now, they do have to face them.

I read on Yahoo yesterday some of the things people were saying about the Jewish kids being shot dead; contemptible, shameful things. And yet, amazingly, there will be those who will try to defend the indefensible. I can understand people feeling strongly about the right to free speech, I'm just surprised those people don't take it up as a cause to try to help those who truly need it; people who face imprisonment and even death for speaking out against a government or regime... not for someone who thinks three dead children is fair recompense for Palestine, or that a man facing death is so worthless he can be ridiculed simply because he's black.

[MTVN]

I don't agree that their prejudice is far more dangerous. However prejudiced and bigoted their message, they are willing to stand up and be counted. These Internet Warriors wouldn't have the guts to say to someone's face the stuff they type. The Internet allows every moron in the world to log on and have a say without having to face up to the consequences... only now, they do have to face them.

I read on Yahoo yesterday some of the things people were saying about the Jewish kids being shot dead; contemptible, shameful things. And yet, amazingly, there will be those who will try to defend the indefensible. I can understand people feeling strongly about the right to free speech, I'm just surprised those people don't take it up as a cause to try to help those who truly need it; people who face imprisonment and even death for speaking out against a government or regime... not for someone who thinks three dead children is fair recompense for Palestine, or that a man facing death is so worthless he can be ridiculed simply because he's black.

I know that there are some people who post sick stuff on the internet, and yes it is cowardly, but more often than not they are just idiots who do it to get a kick out of doing/saying something controversial. What the BNP do is to try and get racism actually into the mainstream of public and political life, and make it "respectable", they stir up racial hatred in a way that internet trolling can't. Plus it's been shown that in areas where the BNP have a strong foothold racial vioence and tension has increased, and we know all too well what the consequences of Isamic extremism can be if people are taken in by the public preaching they do.

Proper internet trolling where people anonymousy go on RIP ages and the like is a different matter because that could well be counted as harrasment, but this guy wasn't doing that, he was just being an idiot and thinking he was funny probaby. It's sick yes but I don't see it as an arrestabe offence and i still don't see where the line is supposedly drawn with free speech, and who it is who gets the right to declare what is accetabe and what isnt.

[Livia]

I know that there are some people who post sick stuff on the internet, and yes it is cowardly, but more often than not they are just idiots who do it to get a kick out of doing/saying something controversial. What the BNP do is to try and get racism actually into the mainstream of public and political life, and make it "respectable", they stir up racial hatred in a way that internet trolling can't. Plus it's been shown that in areas where the BNP have a strong foothold racial vioence and tension has increased, and we know all too well what the consequences of Isamic extremism can be if people are taken in by the public preaching they do.

Proper internet trolling where people anonymousy go on RIP ages and the like is a different matter because that could well be counted as harrasment, but this guy wasn't doing that, he was just being an idiot and thinking he was funny probaby. It's sick yes but I don't see it as an arrestabe offence and i still don't see where the line is supposedly drawn with free speech, and who it is who gets the right to declare what is accetabe and what isnt.

Just because it's difficult to know where to draw the line, doesn't mean that there shouldn't BE a line. And obviously someone has decided where the line has been drawn or this bloke wouldn't have been arrested.

I doubt that the BNP will ever be seen by anyone who isn't a moron, as anything other than a bunch of uneducated bigots who have stolen my flag. People are not stupid, most people are decent and honest and know how to do the right thing. Decent people threw Mosely and his brown shirts out of Cable Street in the 1930s, and decent people will do it again to the BNP, I have every confidence. And in the meantime, decent people should believe that the dregs of society who insult people on the Internet, or anywhere else, are answerable for it in a court of law.

[MTVN]

Just because it's difficult to know where to draw the line, doesn't mean that there shouldn't BE a line. And obviously someone has decided where the line has been drawn or this bloke wouldn't have been arrested.

I doubt that the BNP will ever be seen by anyone who isn't a moron, as anything other than a bunch of uneducated bigots who have stolen my flag. People are not stupid, most people are decent and honest and know how to do the right thing. Decent people threw Mosely and his brown shirts out of Cable Street in the 1930s, and decent people will do it again to the BNP, I have every confidence. And in the meantime, decent people should believe that the dregs of society who insult people on the Internet, or anywhere else, are answerable for it in a court of law.

Yes but my point is that I don't think there can be a universal "line" because it's such a subjective area, and over time and across the word people have different views as to what is acceptable and what is not, what is morally correct and what isn't. And besides the immoral and the illegal are two very different things. I'm on a crap keyboard atm so can't really type very easily but I basically believe in the harm principle when it comes to this, I think the only time there should be state intervention is if it's necessary to prevent harm to others, not just if an idiot on twitter posts something considered offensive

[Livia]

Yes but my point is that I don't think there can be a universal "line" because it's such a subjective area, and over time and across the word people have different views as to what is acceptable and what is not, what is morally correct and what isn't. And besides the immoral and the illegal are two very different things. I'm on a crap keyboard atm so can't really type very easily but I basically believe in the harm principle when it comes to this, I think the only time there should be state intervention is if it's necessary to prevent harm to others, not just if an idiot on twitter posts something considered offensive

I do get where you're coming from, and I think a lot of what I believe does overlap with what you believe. I agree that a universal line would be difficult to agree, but as a country, I'm happy to see that this bloke's actions were a toe over our line, and there he is in the Stripey Hole as a consequence. Yes there is a difference between the immoral and the illegal, but many times the two coincide, and so they should.

The Internet is currently in its infancy, and it's like the bloody Wild West. There are all kinds of outlaws and misfits pretty much doing and saying what they like and generally shooting up the place, metaphorically. Decent people have had to accept the poor behaviour of a handful up until now... but finally the legal system has got its act together and the sheriff has rolled into Dodge, and not a moment too soon.

[Ammi]

..but what if those offensive comments lead to suicide..which in some cases they have..I know they haven't directly 'incited' anything but they have been harmful....and it's too late afterwards for the prevention. I agree it's subjective and what is acceptable to some..isn't to others.. and it is difficult to draw a line. It's a tricky one because I agree with Livia..just because it would be difficult to know where the line is doesn't mean there shouldn't be one...but...I can't see that there could be a 'universal' line...I don't see how that could possibly work.

[Niamh.]

I do get where you're coming from, and I think a lot of what I believe does overlap with what you believe. I agree that a universal line would be difficult to agree, but as a country, I'm happy to see that this bloke's actions were a toe over our line, and there he is in the Stripey Hole as a consequence. Yes there is a difference between the immoral and the illegal, but many times the two coincide, and so they should.

The Internet is currently in its infancy, and it's like the bloody Wild West. There are all kinds of outlaws and misfits pretty much doing and saying what they like and generally shooting up the place, metaphorically. Decent people have had to accept the poor behaviour of a handful up until now... but finally the legal system has got its act together and the sheriff has rolled into Dodge, and not a moment too soon.

I strongly agree with this. Atm because it's such a new thing, people are getting away with stuff that they would never get away with in the real world and that needs to be addressed, and thankfully, as with this case, that seems to be happening now.

[MTVN]

I do get where you're coming from, and I think a lot of what I believe does overlap with what you believe. I agree that a universal line would be difficult to agree, but as a country, I'm happy to see that this bloke's actions were a toe over our line, and there he is in the Stripey Hole as a consequence. Yes there is a difference between the immoral and the illegal, but many times the two coincide, and so they should.

The Internet is currently in its infancy, and it's like the bloody Wild West. There are all kinds of outlaws and misfits pretty much doing and saying what they like and generally shooting up the place, metaphorically. Decent people have had to accept the poor behaviour of a handful up until now... but finally the legal system has got its act together and the sheriff has rolled into Dodge, and not a moment too soon.

Yeah I agree about the internet being in its infancy and it does complicate things further. I'm not entirely sure how free speech applies to it and at what point the authorities come in, seeing as it's in the power of the likes of Facebook to be able to block and deal with matters like trolling themselves, and they do do it a lot of the time. The internet definitely does bring whole new meaning to the debate, but still I'm quite uncomfortable with any attempt to criminalise someone for their words, no matter how disgusting they seem to us

..but what if those offensive comments lead to suicide..which in some cases they have..I know they haven't directly 'incited' anything but they have been harmful....and it's too late afterwards for the prevention. I agree it's subjective and what is acceptable to some..isn't to others.. and it is difficult to draw a line. It's a tricky one because I agree with Livia..just because it would be difficult to know where the line is doesn't mean there shouldn't be one...but...I can't see that there could be a 'universal' line...I don't see how that could possibly work.

I wasnt mainly talking about proper internet trolling on RIP pages and the like, that's a different matter because I think it would violate the "harm principle" and count as harassment. But I don't think the same applies to someone just posting sick jokes/comments on their own Twitter about a celebrity or figure in the public eye

[Kizzy]

I don't agree that their prejudice is far more dangerous. However prejudiced and bigoted their message, they are willing to stand up and be counted. These Internet Warriors wouldn't have the guts to say to someone's face the stuff they type. The Internet allows every moron in the world to log on and have a say without having to face up to the consequences... only now, they do have to face them.

I read on Yahoo yesterday some of the things people were saying about the Jewish kids being shot dead; contemptible, shameful things. And yet, amazingly, there will be those who will try to defend the indefensible. I can understand people feeling strongly about the right to free speech, I'm just surprised those people don't take it up as a cause to try to help those who truly need it; people who face imprisonment and even death for speaking out against a government or regime... not for someone who thinks three dead children is fair recompense for Palestine, or that a man facing death is so worthless he can be ridiculed simply because he's black.

I believe they are way way more dangerous...
Trolling and tweeting although a vile pastime and potentially hurtful to the target and or families is what it is.... one vile person behind a keyboard.
Organisations such as the BNP are MANY ignorant people whos warped views and misguided information influence many...Even highly educated people.
The far right influence of Anders Brievik,the killer of many innocent youths in Norway was highlighted in the C4 documentary regarding the EDL.
Im all for standing up and being counted, but you have to be very careful what you are standing up for...
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/norway/8658417/Norway-killer-many-within-far-right-share-Anders-Breiviks-ideas.html

[James]

There has to be some limits on freedom-of-speech otherwise things like bullying and defamation would be tolerated.

[Mystic Mock]

There has to be some limits on freedom-of-speech otherwise things like bullying and defamation would be tolerated.

Tbf bullying is making somebody's life a living hell which is worse than some sick jokes on Twitter,trust me I know as i've suffered some bullying myself,but you don't see them being arrested.

I believe this guy is an ignorant moron,but that doesn't mean he should be arrested.

[Kizzy]

Jedward if you are being bullied school, work or online it is an offence...Tell someone, and take it as high as you can if they dont listen :)

[Jesus.]

Christopher Hitchens - My literary idol.

wcqHSAwMHO8

[Mystic Mock]

Jedward if you are being bullied school, work or online it is an offence...Tell someone, and take it as high as you can if they dont listen :)

It's alright thanks Kizzy as they was all in Primary School,one I punched in the face after he tried to beat me up again,the other two got expelled for trying to cut my finger off with sissors (which has given me fears of sissors ever since) and one psycho tried to strangle me but I spat in his face afterwards so all is good.:hugesmile:

They done more to me obviously but that was there worse and last crimes to me.

[joeysteele]

I think he was totally wrong to post the comments he did, I also think some warning in some form is appropriate to be given, however this seems another step to new criminal laws which will cause all sorts of problems and cost fortunes for the cases of.

I come down on the side of while it's offensive,it's not and should not be classed as a criminal act. People like this thrive on the publicity of it all, far better to highlight it and let him be made aware it's unacceptable, then keep a watch on it too by all means afterwards.
Some people have extreme views unfortunately.

[joeysteele]

It's alright thanks Kizzy as they was all in Primary School,one I punched in the face after he tried to beat me up again,the other two got expelled for trying to cut my finger off with sissors (which has given me fears of sissors ever since) and one psycho tried to strangle me but I spat in his face afterwards so all is good.:hugesmile:

They done more to me obviously but that was there worse and last crimes to me.

That's awful jf, Primary school too. I am very sad you had to go through that.

[Mystic Mock]

That's awful jf, Primary school too. I am very sad you had to go through that.

It's alright Joey,people go through worse than that everyday so that's all I thought about when the bastards was being vile to me.

[Kizzy]

Amazing, well done! you are an inspiration...with focus and determination your courage, self belief and ability to put things in perspective saw you through.
A lot of people dont have that, especially at such a young age :)

[Mystic Mock]

Amazing, well done! you are an inspiration...with focus and determination your courage, self belief and ability to put things in perspective saw you through.
A lot of people dont have that, especially at such a young age :)

Thanks Kizzy,tbf it is hard as I struggled with all that for awhile.

Anybody that is suffering from bullying in school at the moment should get the situation sorted out by telling a Teacher and not fight them like I did.

[joeysteele]

Amazing, well done! you are an inspiration...with focus and determination your courage, self belief and ability to put things in perspective saw you through.
A lot of people dont have that, especially at such a young age :)


Excellent statement and I hope you don't mind my using your quote kizzy to say to jf, that I echo 100% all that is said in the above post.

[Kizzy]

Amazeballs! :D you should speak to jamie pugh, he has found a way to campaign for a better approach to bullying.

[Mystic Mock]

Amazeballs! :D you should speak to jamie pugh, he has found a way to campaign for a better approach to bullying.

Thanks Kizzy,I will do so if somebody else tries to bully me.:dance:

[Brother Leon]

It's sad this thread has more pages than the Muamba thread itself.

[Mystic Mock]

It's sad this thread has more pages than the Muamba thread itself.

Because sadly that thread will not get as much due to it being in the Football sub-forum.

[Brother Leon]

A nice jail sentence for 50+ days :joker:


:)

[King Gizzard]

Going to have to build 489438943894398 prisons if you're going to jail everyone who tweets something racist on twitter

[King Gizzard]

Kind of takes the piss when all JT will get is a fine and a slap on the wrist after the euros at his hearing, and then probably retire from international football anyway

[arista]

A nice jail sentence for 50+ days :joker:
:)


Yes he was High on Drugs
but he wewnt on Public Twitter
and has now been put in prison.


Destroyed his Future Education.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2121003/Liam-Stacey-sent-prison-offensive-tweet-Fabrice-Muamba.html

[Mrluvaluva]

"Stacey, who was told by the judge he had done "untold harm" to his future, was in his third year and had wanted to be a forensic scientist but will not be able to complete his degree."


SKY (http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16197140)


He has screwed his future up now. Hopefully it will serve as a reminder to any others who are tempted to put any kind of threatening/inciting material on the internet.

[MTVN]

Kinda sucks that you can be locked up and have your whole future and education ruined for being an idiot and posting some stupid racist jokes on your Twitter account

[King Gizzard]

Yep, and there's probably been alot of unreported tweets that have gotten away with it, these things are hard to do because there really needs to be consistency or else it's pathetic

[bbfan1991]

Serves him right, teaches people and it is a warning for people who are offensive.

Free speech is fine in this country, although some people like this guy go too far and there has to be consequences..

[Mrluvaluva]

The internet has not been policed properly in recent years due to constraints, but hopefully this will be a turnaround, and such matters will not be overlooked any more. This came to the polices attention due to the fact that members of the public reported it. At least things seem to be going in the right direction. If such things were said and witnessed in the street, he would have been prosecuted, so why not on the internet? Words are words, whether spoken or written.

[King Gizzard]

The internet is the only place where you can say what you want basically (within reason) I don't want that to be taken away because of a few idiots who misuse it

Twitter will become this heavily watered down craphole where you have to wait for tweets to be confirmed or some rubbish like that

[Mrluvaluva]

Unfortunately the minority generally spoil things for the majority.

[Mrluvaluva]

A different view from The Telegraph:

"Top banter: Liam Stacey is an idiot. That's punishment enough for his Fabrice Muamba tweets.

Top banter eh? Liam Stacey. Top drunken banter of which any red-blooded Lad would be proud. Let's look at some of that japesome badinage in full, because by crikey, we've all got a lot to learn from your razor-edged wit.

As Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder who suffered a heart attack during an FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham Hotspur, lay apparently dying on the field, Mr Stacey tweeted: “LOL, ******* Muamba. He’s dead.”

In response to some of the people on Twitter who suggested that this might not be quite the time for it, he proceeded to add:
• you are a silly ******… Your mothers a w*g and your dad is a rapist! Bonjour you scruffy northen *******!
• owwww go suck a n****r d*** you *********g aids ridden ******
• go suck muamba's dead black d**k then you aids ridden t**t! #muambasdead
• go rape your dog! #******!
• I aint your friend you w*g ****** ….go pick some cotton!

There are a few more examples of his Wildean mind in action here. (http://chirpstory.com/li/5261)

And then, to remind the sensitive among us that it was only some top, top banter – no doubt he would describe himself as the Archbishop of Banterbury – he said:
• only taking the p**s, obviously people can't take a joke

Obviously. And it turns out that the courts can't really take a joke either. Stacey has been charged with inciting racial hatred, pleaded guilty, and been sentenced to 56 days in jail.

Mr Stacey is, I hope you'd agree, an idiot. Or at the very least, when he is catastrophically drunk (as he apparently was, after Wales won the grand slam in the rugby Six Nations), he behaves like a prize idiot; perhaps in sober day-to-day life he's perfectly intelligent. But does he deserve to be jailed? My colleague Ed West says no; that "whenever race becomes a factor in anything, people lose their ability to reason", and that his tweets, while horrible and vicious, were significantly less unpleasant than a lot of actual violent assaults which get let off with suspended sentences or community service. (I know from previous comments that many of you remember this one – another racist attack, but by Muslim girls on a white girl, in which the attackers were given suspended sentences.)

I think Ed's wrong, on one count. I think this isn't, so much, about race as about the strange three-way relationship between Twitter, public outrage and the law.

Last week, the country was united, as it rarely is, in sympathy and shock for Muamba. Opinion is divided about these fits of public emotion – the national tearfulness after Diana's death, and so on. A friend of mine notes that in football especially they are spasmodic, and bring fleeting bouts of concern – for a few weeks British football was consumed with worry about depression, after Gary Speed's suicide in November; now it's heart screening, after Muamba – before being largely forgotten. But for the most part the emotion is genuine, even if it might be a brief madness of crowds.

So when Stacey tweeted his nasty little tweets about Muamba, even though he was probably only being followed by a couple of hundred people at most, it shot around the internet, because people who were genuinely concerned about the life of a young man read them with shock. They were spotted by Stan Collymore, the football commentator who has recently worked to highlight racist abuse on Twitter, and gained more publicity still.

This is the problem, as far as the law is concerned, with Twitter. Today, for the first time, libel damages have been won over a tweet: Chris Cairns, a former New Zealand cricketer, won £90,000 from Lalit Modi, the deposed Indian Premier League commissioner, over unfounded match-fixing allegations. Modi's tweet was seen by an estimated 65 people, but one of them was the CricInfo website, which spread it further. In 2010, Paul Chambers was convicted of sending a "menacing message" over a public telecommunications system after he joked on Twitter about blowing Robin Hood Airport "sky high" because its flights were snowed off and was spotted by the police. In each case, people think of Twitter as a sort of extended pub conversation, or private chatroom, but in theory it could be seen by millions of people: it is a publishing tool which can reach as many people as any newspaper or television channel, if the author's luck is good or bad enough.

In Stacey's case, it was his bad luck/thundering stupidity that he made his horrible comments at a time when Twitter was particularly on the lookout for unpleasantness about Muamba, so it spread like a cold in a playground. And, of course, once the police is made aware of someone apparently breaking the law (and whatever you think of the hate-crime laws, the phrase "I aint your friend you w*g ****** ….go pick some cotton!" is surely at least a contender for the title of "incitement to racial hatred"), they have to do something about it. It didn't matter, so much, that it was race; it mattered that his sort-of-private conversation became incredibly public due to widespread public disgust.

For what it's worth, which is not very much, while I despise Stacey's "banter" and think it is a prime example of why the word needs to be rejected by all right-thinking people and left to rot with simpletons like him, I agree with Ed that it's wrong to jail him, when perpetrators of other, by any measure far more terrible, crimes walk from the court. For Mr Stacey, a lifetime of being an idiot is probably punishment enough.


A link with a lot of comments (http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/tomchiversscience/100147319/top-banter-liam-stacey-is-an-idiot-thats-punishment-enough-for-his-fabrice-muamba-tweets/)

[Mystic Mock]

I still can't get over them Muslim girls getting away with beating the girl up because they was drunk,more like it was because they didn't want to be seen as racist and being drunk doesn't mean you are posessed or something lol.

That's why these racist jokes on Twitter don't bother me as much as cases like the one that's just been mentioned.

[Kizzy]

Agreed there mr luvaluva....perfect sense.

[Kizzy]

I still can't get over them Muslim girls getting away with beating the girl up because they was drunk,more like it was because they didn't want to be seen as racist and being drunk doesn't mean you are posessed or something lol.

That's why these racist jokes on Twitter don't bother me as much as cases like the one that's just been mentioned.
Actually you just jogged my memory of that...but muslims don't drink do they... and lots of women without a chaperone?....Hmmmm ...yes odd!

[Mrluvaluva]

It's set a precedent here hopefully.

And then the freaks come out - tweet to Stan Collymore:

Badluck Schleprock ‏ @dirtyvodkaman
@StanCollymore lol you ****** ******, good thing it's not a hate crime over here (yet) to call you the mongrel that you are. cry about it!

For every one prosecuted, there will be many more.

take this guy (https://twitter.com/#!/dirtyvodkaman)

[Mystic Mock]

just bullied a few homo kids... feels good man

heil hitler

Wtf?:joker:

[Kizzy]

It's set a precedent here hopefully.

And then the freaks come out - tweet to Stan Collymore:

Badluck Schleprock ‏ @dirtyvodkaman
@StanCollymore lol you ****** ******, good thing it's not a hate crime over here (yet) to call you the mongrel that you are. cry about it!

For every one prosecuted, there will be many more.

take this guy (https://twitter.com/#!/dirtyvodkaman)
Im assuming this person thinks that Collymore is a hypocrite due to his abuse...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/110009.stm

[Mrluvaluva]

It's not just Stan. He is targetting many just for the sake of it if you look at his page, because of the story. It's like a red rag to a bull for some.

[Kizzy]

Ah well, he is just another fool talking rubbish though... what can you do?...they can say what they like there apparently.

[Mrluvaluva]

That's my point. He can get away for it for the moment, sitting in front of his screen in his warm and safe environment. Tomorrow could be another day though, and his whole world could change. Just like it did for Liam Stacey...

[Mrluvaluva]

Liam Stacey could be freed tomorrow...

A student jailed for mocking footballer Fabrice Muamba on Twitter after he suffered a cardiac arrest could be released in the next 24 hours.

Liam Stacey, 21, was jailed for 56 days on Tuesday after he admitting inciting racial hatred.

He is to appeal against his sentence tomorrow (Friday), and if successful could be freed straight away.


More on the story (http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16198821)

[Kizzy]

He is going to get some right stick, I actually feel a bit sorry for him tbh

[MTVN]

A different view from The Telegraph:

"...people think of Twitter as a sort of extended pub conversation, or private chatroom, but in theory it could be seen by millions of people

I definitely think this is the case, people are saying he wouldn't be able to go out and start ranting racist crap on the street with the intention of inciting hatred, but surely we are able to see the difference between that and drunken tweets on his own twitter page. It is exactly the sort of thing he'd probably say down the pub and there people would likely just tell him to shut up, but when posing this sort of things on twitter people forget how easily seen and accessible they are

[Shaun]

The thing is trolls and shock-jocks use this kind of language all the time and I find it really difficult (and basically the joke's old now, so tedious, too) to tell the difference between someone trying to provoke a reaction and someone genuinely racist.

Either way I don't particularly mind them getting punished. The internet is full of too many morons. Twitter in particular. But then I've seen few wise statements made in under 140 characters.

[letmein]

What happened to free speech?

Hate Speech is a criminal offense.

[letmein]

There are people from the UK disagreeing with the guys arrest as well, it's not just an American idea it seems and I would guess that alot of Americans would agree with his arrest also, I'm pretty sure all of you don't think the same way.

99% of Americans would not agree with someone being arrested for Speech. That's just a given in America. The only thing that's deemed a federal crime, is making a comment about assassinating the President.

I don't like anyone dictating to me what I can and can't say, especially government. We've seen where this leads throughout history, but I digress. If Brits want to live this lifestyle, so be it.

[letmein]

let one spread hatred and others will follow,
how long before these low lifes take it further than just talking!

Open a history book, and research the Soviet Union.

Also research "Goodwin's Law". And while we at it, get a spell checker. That is all. :xyxwave:

[Mrluvaluva]

A student has lost his appeal after being sent to jail for posting racially offensive comments on Twitter about footballer Fabrice Muamba.

Swansea University student Liam Stacey, 21, from Pontypridd, was sentenced to 56 days on Tuesday.

A High Court judge in Swansea has now dismissed the appeal against sentence.

On Friday, Mr Justice Wyn Williams told Stacey he rejected an argument that he had already been punished enough.

He said the Swansea University biology student had admitted an offence of racist intent.

"He was intending to say what he said and was intending to produce the effect that he did," said the judge.

Stacey was sentenced at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Tuesday after admitting inciting racial hatred over remarks about the Bolton Wanderers player, who collapsed during a cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur.

Mr Justice Wyn Williams told Stacey: "There can be no avoiding the conclusion that your offence was committed in the context of a grave illness that had afflicted Fabrice Muamba.

"It was immediately apparent that he was gravely ill and while he was lying prostrate on the pitch you posted comments that were extremely racist couched in terms that can only be described as extremely offensive.

"What was written was capable of being read by any user of Twitter and these messages provoked a very strong response.

"You received responses which were extremely critical but you did not desist - instead you posted eight messages which were extremely abusive and insulting.

"You later realised the enormity of your behaviour and tried to apologise.

"But you deserve to be punished for your actions. It can't be argued that a term of 56 days is too long for this offence.

"By pleading guilty you admitted a racist intent to your comments."

Paul Hobson, defending Stacey, told the appeal hearing: "This should not define him, but it will leave a blot upon him forever.

"He has already had a short, sharp, shock, his life has changed very swiftly in just a fortnight.

"He has been made an example of and surely this will do enough to prevent others from acting in a similar way.

"Rarely will the court deal with an individual who has attracted as much stigma as this defendant - this has devastated him and his family and his friends."


Full Story (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-17562016)

[Mrluvaluva]

Has this become a trend?

https://twitter.com/#!/ninjathunder/status/188635251269054464/photo/1

Stan Collymore ‏ @StanCollymore Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Staffordshire Police have contacted me to see if I want to report the racist tweets from earlier.

I just don't understand the need?

[Kizzy]

Has this become a trend?

https://twitter.com/#!/ninjathunder/status/188635251269054464/photo/1

Stan Collymore ‏ @StanCollymore Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
Staffordshire Police have contacted me to see if I want to report the racist tweets from earlier.

I just don't understand the need?
I don't 'get' twitter.....who do you twit twoo?....lol
Seriously though it just seems so impersonal...Moreso than forums and FB....

[Niamh.]

99% of Americans would not agree with someone being arrested for Speech. That's just a given in America. The only thing that's deemed a federal crime, is making a comment about assassinating the President.

I don't like anyone dictating to me what I can and can't say, especially government. We've seen where this leads throughout history, but I digress. If Brits want to live this lifestyle, so be it.

99% eh? I would love to see your proof of that :joker:

[Liberty4eva]

Yeah there is a difference between free speech and pure hatred. Racism should not be tolerated and passing it off as free speech is not acceptable imo, I'm glad they've arrested that guy if they were as bad as you say.

Newsflash: the right to free speech is there to protect offensive speech. Not polite speech. Offensive speech. Politically correct and popular speech do not need protection.

And Britain continues to circle the toilet bowl. Round round you go and I would be tempted to laugh except I know the US is not far behind you.

[Niamh.]

Newsflash: the right to free speech is there to protect offensive speech. Not polite speech. Offensive speech. Politically correct and popular speech do not need protection.

And Britain continues to circle the toilet bowl. Round round you go and I would be tempted to laugh except I know the US is not far behind you.

I'm not British :idc:

[Livia]

Newsflash: the right to free speech is there to protect offensive speech. Not polite speech. Offensive speech. Politically correct and popular speech do not need protection.

And Britain continues to circle the toilet bowl. Round round you go and I would be tempted to laugh except I know the US is not far behind you.

But I am British... and I find you, as usual, offensive.

[Mrluvaluva]

A student jailed after making racist remarks on Twitter about footballer Fabrice Muamba has apologised and says he has paid a huge price.

Liam Stacey told BBC Wales' Week in Week Out programme how the comments - "just drunken stupidity" - turned him into a national hate figure.

Stacey, from Pontypridd, was given a 56-day prison term for a racially aggravated public order offence.

Muamba, 24, suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in March.

He recovered in time to attend the return fixture at the Reebok Stadium on 3 May.

Stacey told the programme, which is broadcast on Tuesday on BBC One Wales, he did not know why he made the remarks on Twitter, adding that it was a "stupid, massive, massive mistake and I've paid a big price for it".

"What I struggle to get my head around was the week or two before I was just a normal kid getting on with my work in university, getting on with life, playing rugby with all my mates, then a week or two later I was just going to prison, everything had been turned upside down," he said.

The programme also went undercover to expose how so-called internet trolls - people who carry out anonymous online hate campaigns - target the most vulnerable.

It heard from the mothers of murder victims Rebecca Aylward from Bridgend, and Kirsty Wilkinson from Swansea,whose online memorial sites were attacked by trolls.

Kirsty's mother Catherine Broomfield said: "It's just beyond belief, it just hurts. I've already got a big hole in my heart as it is and these people just make the hole deeper."

One troll told the programme attacking others made him feel better.

Week In Week Out also enlisted the help of an unnamed internet expert to set a trap for the trolls who went out of their way to shock, offend and upset vulnerable people.

Nobody has been prosecuted for making comments about Rebecca Aylward or Kirsty Wilkinson.

However, the head of the Crown Prosecution Service for Wales said reported online crimes are treated exactly the same as offences committed "in the real world".

Jim Brisbane, chief prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service in Wales, said the vast majority of the population enjoyed social media and used it responsibly.

He added: "But there's now an opportunity to make it clear for those who overstep the mark and abuse the privilege of being able to communicate in such a wide way, that the law that applies to other settings and other forms of communication can apply equally to what they're doing, and if that is not recognised then there may be consequences."

Superintendent Joe Ruddy from South Wales Police led the investigation into Stacey's case.

He said: "We in South Wales Police have seen over 100% increase in the number of social networking type occurrences in the last two years and that's probably just tip of the iceberg in what's going on out there."

While Fabrice Muamba continues to recover, Stacey's future remains uncertain.

Swansea University suspended him pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings.

On Tuesday, it said Stacey would remain suspended for the remainder of this academic year and is not allowed to return to campus.

But he will be given the opportunity to sit his final exams as an external candidate next year at another venue and, if successful, to graduate in absentia.

He will remain excluded from the campus, the university said.

"We take the actions of this student very seriously, which is why he is no longer part of our campus community," it said in a statement.

"We are mindful that he has been given a prison sentence, and therefore has already paid a price for his actions.

"He has expressed genuine remorse and we are satisfied that he understands that his behaviour was unacceptable, and damaging to the university."


BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-18149852)