Council Ducks out of fining Vanessa

On a recent post I highlighted the case of Vanessa Kelly who was given a fixed penalty notice by sandwell council for the Fowl (Pun intended) offence of feeding the ducks at her local park.

Thanks to the help of Big brother watch, Sandwell council have backed down.

Vanessa £75 fine is to be dropped along with similar penalties imposed on six other people in Smethwick Hall Park.

Alex Deane, Director of Big Brother Watch, said:

“We are delighted, if unsurprised, that Sandwell Council have admitted defeat in this matter; and we are glad that Vanessa can go on with her life without this ludicrous fine hanging over her head.

“However I am concerned that Sandwell are still intending to issue fixed penalty notices to people who try and feed the ducks in this park.

“Feeding birds is not a crime and people who do it are not criminals. Until Sandwell and other councils around the country stop trying to criminalise everyday pursuits, there will be more cases just like Vanessa’s.”

Well done Vanessa and BigBrotherWatch

Paul Clarke and the MSM. Or not

I do find it strange how the MSM have not picked up on the Paul Clarke case.

A former soldier who handed a discarded shotgun in to police faces at least five years imprisonment for "doing his duty".

Paul Clarke, 27, was found guilty of possessing a firearm at Guildford Crown Court on Tuesday – after finding the gun and handing it personally to police officers on March 20 this year.

Is there something that the Blogosphere have missed about this that we don't know about?

Alex Massie of the Spectator also finds it strange.