[Mrluvaluva]

A man has been arrested for posting an image of a burning poppy on a social network site.Kent Police said in a statement that the man, from Aylesham, had been detained last night on suspicion of making malicious telecommunications and that he was in custody awaiting interview.The force did not say whether the arrested man actually burned the poppy, or just posted the photo online.The arrest was met with disbelief on Twitter, where people mounted a fierce discussion over civil liberties.Tom Williams, tweeting as @tomwilliamsisme, wrote: "The scary thing is, the man wasn't arrested for burning a poppy - that's not illegal. He was arrested for putting it online."Jamie's Pants, under @thisisrjg, tweeted: "We do not have a right to not be offended. We certainly don't have a right to lock up someone for offending some people",*And Thom Lumley, tweeting as @Hotstepperrr, wrote: "Dear idiots at Kent Police, burning a poppy may be obnoxious, but it is not a criminal offence."David Allen Green, a journalist and lawyer for the New Statesman, tweeting as Jack of Kent, wrote: "What was the point of winning either World War if, in 2012, someone can be casually arrested by Kent Police for burning a poppy?"Australian musician and comedian Tim Minchin also tweeted his incredulity, saying: "You've a right to burn a (fake!) poppy. Whether I agree with the action is utterly irrelevant. Kent Police are out of line."No one from Kent Police was available to comment.

A step too far?

[Shaun]

Ridiculous.

[Benjamin]

Another waste of police time, and a reason for people to mock the British police force.

[Jack_]

How ironic to be arrested over an incident involving a symbol of freedom of which people died to achieve.

Pathetic.

[Ammi]

..I think the guy is an insensitive d*ck...if he wanted to make a stand he could have worn a white poppy..but I guess the social networking option is much more dramatic..and generally the preferable route for d*cks....

..however...whether the charges can be enforced, or if it's even worth the cost and time is a different matter....I personally wouldn't give him the attention....

According to the website of the CPS, the Malicious Communications Act 1988, section 1, "deals with the sending to another of any article which is indecent or grossly offensive, or which conveys a threat, or which is false, provided there is an intent to cause distress or anxiety to the recipient".

The CPS website states: "The offence covers letters, writing of all descriptions, electronic communications, photographs and other images in a material form, tape recordings, films and video recordings."

In another case, also dating from 2011, a man who burned replica poppies on Remembrance Day in London was fined £50 after being found guilty of a public order offence

[Marc]

I just don't get why they arrest people for social networking faux pas

[Omah]

IMO, he should be made to walk over burning coal, but if that's not feasible, then a £1,000 fine, payable to the Royal British Legion, will do .....

[MTVN]

Sounds like a bit of a stupid thing to do but there's been too many arrests recently over trivial, silly things like this

[Livia]

When you lose someone in the military, seeing someone burn a poppy is like watching someone set fire to the floral tributes at your loved one's funeral; it's like someone telling you the sacrifice was meaningless; it's like saying "your husband died so that I can be a **** in public with no comeback". Unless you've been in the position, I imagine you'd think it was meaningless... but it isn't.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you lose someone in the military, seeing someone burn a poppy is like watching someone set fire to the floral tributes at your loved one's funeral; it's like someone telling you the sacrifice was meaningless; it's like saying "your husband died so that I can be a **** in public with no comeback". Unless you've been in the position, I imagine you'd think it was meaningless... but it isn't.

[AnnieK]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you lose someone in the military, seeing someone burn a poppy is like watching someone set fire to the floral tributes at your loved one's funeral; it's like someone telling you the sacrifice was meaningless; it's like saying "your husband died so that I can be a **** in public with no comeback". Unless you've been in the position, I imagine you'd think it was meaningless... but it isn't.

100% agreed. I personally (thankfully) haven't been in this situation but after reading your post I completely agree.

Think Omahs suggestion of a fine paid to the British legion is a good idea too.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you lose someone in the military, seeing someone burn a poppy is like watching someone set fire to the floral tributes at your loved one's funeral; it's like someone telling you the sacrifice was meaningless; it's like saying "your husband died so that I can be a **** in public with no comeback". Unless you've been in the position, I imagine you'd think it was meaningless... but it isn't.

With all due respect Livia, that's just your point of view (I know that's a really overused "argument" on here but let me explain ). I could argue, as someone with a vested interest, that everyone who makes some form of homophobic comment, or spreads hate messages about how lying with man is an abomination or whatever, should be arrested and prosecuted... but aside from all the "freedom of speech" arguments which we've all done to death on here it'd just be impractical, both financially and domestically [in terms of prison spaces] and silly.

I understand (well, I don't have personal experience, and I don't wish to pretend that I really can relate in this case) that this is an extremely heavy and emotional subject, but I just don't like the idea of personal offence having an influence over the law.

The problem I think is that with new social media there's a greater window and view of people being idiots and rude and potentially offensive, and it's likely that more and more cases such as these will filter through the news. Obviously I agree with prosecuting people who send death threats or stalk people, but - and to be fair the details of this instance are thin; he could've just uploaded a photo, or he could've sent it to relatives of fallen soldiers - I can't rush to condemn him. I'm not saying you are but still

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Shaun

With all due respect Livia, that's just your point of view (I know that's a really overused "argument" on here but let me explain ). I could argue, as someone with a vested interest, that everyone who makes some form of homophobic comment, or spreads hate messages about how lying with man is an abomination or whatever, should be arrested and prosecuted... but aside from all the "freedom of speech" arguments which we've all done to death on here it'd just be impractical, both financially and domestically [in terms of prison spaces] and silly.

I understand (well, I don't have personal experience, and I don't wish to pretend that I really can relate in this case) that this is an extremely heavy and emotional subject, but I just don't like the idea of personal offence having an influence over the law.

The problem I think is that with new social media there's a greater window and view of people being idiots and rude and potentially offensive, and it's likely that more and more cases such as these will filter through the news. Obviously I agree with prosecuting people who send death threats or stalk people, but - and to be fair the details of this instance are thin; he could've just uploaded a photo, or he could've sent it to relatives of fallen soldiers - I can't rush to condemn him. I'm not saying you are but still

I can't have this discussion today.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Livia

When you lose someone in the military, seeing someone burn a poppy is like watching someone set fire to the floral tributes at your loved one's funeral; it's like someone telling you the sacrifice was meaningless; it's like saying "your husband died so that I can be a **** in public with no comeback". Unless you've been in the position, I imagine you'd think it was meaningless... but it isn't.

We may have our differences of opinion, but not this time - burning a poppy in public is like pissing on a war memorial :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_aviPONeDo

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Marc

If you're going to arrest somebody for this then you may as well arrest people on twitter who wish ill on celebrities and want horrible things to happen to people for no good reason.

Correct - arrest all the cowards who use the anonymity of the internet to propagate hate .....

[Novo]

Don't really think it's an overreaction at all, think we need to make an example out of people like this more often actually and posting it all over social media sites is just promoting it

[Kizzy]

Behind you 100% on this issue livia. And you have expressed very well the thoughts and feelings of all families affected by war.
Really people have to look at the bigger picture on this issue, it is not the deed but the symbolism attatched, it is not trivial but a suble message to all those that would incite hatred.

[Jack_]

Originally Posted by Omah

IMO, he should be made to walk over burning coal, but if that's not feasible, then a £1,000 fine, payable to the Royal British Legion, will do .....

I'm not entirely sure whether you constantly churn out these cries for barbaric punishments just for attention but I'd just like to inform you we're not living in the stone ages.

Walking over hot coal for burning a poppy? Are you taking the piss? What's next, death by stoning for Sickipedia users?

You can't have a pick and choose system for these crimes. Either it's one rule for everyone or it's none at all.

[Omah]

Originally Posted by Jack_

I'm not entirely sure whether you constantly churn out these cries for barbaric punishments just for attention but I'd just like to inform you we're not living in the stone ages.

Walking over hot coal for burning a poppy? Are you taking the piss? What's next, death by stoning for Sickipedia users?

You can't have a pick and choose system for these crimes. Either it's one rule for everyone or it's none at all.

I think you're missing the point .....

[Alf]

good job it was only a part of the british culture he was disrespecting, if it was a different culture being disrespected the lefty's would have been in uproar.

respect other people's culture's and background's? there's a few on here not to fussed when a part of the british culture is disrespected.

[Shaun]

not really sure how a poppy is strictly British but okay, make this a cultural issue

[Alf]

Originally Posted by Shaun

not really sure how a poppy is strictly British but okay, make this a cultural issue

ok i will, thanks for your permission

[Mrluvaluva]

I am in two minds about this really. Whilst I think the act itself is totally disrespectful, uncalled for, and will cause grief to a number of people, there is no threat against someone personally if this is the case of a lone photo being posted online. But then again pissing on a war memorial is not a direct threat towards an individual either. The act itself though is done with the objective of it to cause shock, controversy and/or upset I would presume, so the intent to cause pain and upset to people is clearly there, and is unecessary. I do however wonder where the line will be drawn, as the laws on such matters seem to be a bit of a grey area at this moment in time. Some people just think they are being clever, when in fact being complete arseholes, and they cannot be left to just do as they deem fit. I just don't necessarily agree that a custodial scentence, for instance, would be the correct course of action with an incident such as this, but then again I do not have a satisfactory alternative to offer and most will have differing opinions on the subject matter, so a universally acceptable resolution will never be reached anyhow.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by wannashag

good job it was only a part of the british culture he was disrespecting, if it was a different culture being disrespected the lefty's would have been in uproar.

respect other people's culture's and background's? there's a few on here not to fussed when a part of the british culture is disrespected.

I'm not a fan of all this PC leftist bollocks but why bring race/nationality into it? As usual.

[Doogle]

Aylesham is the biggest **** hole in Kent, every time we stop at the train station a bunch of loud mouthed chavs get on So it's not that surprising.