The Bexley one is free.

I’m glad to see that Olly Cromwell, the Blogger from Bexley has not been incarcerated under section 127 of the communications act.

He has however been sentenced to 80 hours community service, £620 of costs awarded against him, and a watered down restraining order.

On 13 April 2012, Cromwell was convicted under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 for sending two tweets about Bexley Council, one of which contained a profanity (c***) and a photograph.  Previously, Cromwell had been charged with harassment and incitement to commit criminal damage, but those charges were dropped on the basis that there was no evidence and the Prosecution was misconceived.

Despite the Prosecution proposing a custodial sentence, the District Judge decided that Cromwell should receive 80 hours unpaid work. A restraining order was imposed, but vastly reduced from the widely drafted and very restricted order sought by Bexley Council.  Notwithstanding his conviction we secured a full costs order for the harassment charge which was thrown out.

That’s what you get when you challenge your council.

George Orwell would be so proud..

The full account is here at Malcolm Knight’s Blog

THE LOGIC OF SCOTTISH CHILDREN

DAVID CAMERON was visiting a Scottish primary school and he visited one of the classes.  They were in the middle of a discussion related to words and their meanings.  The teacher asked Mr Cameron if he would like to lead the discussion on the word 'tragedy'.  So the illustrious leader asked the class for an example of a 'tragedy'.

A little boy stood up and offered:  “If ma best freen, wha lives on a fairm, is playin' in the field an' a tractor rins ower him and kills him, that wid be a tragedy.”

“No,” said David, “that would be an accident.”

A little girl raised her hand:  “If a skale bus kerryin' fufty children drove ower a cliff, killing a'b'dy inside, that wid be a tragedy.”

“I'm afraid not”, explained David, “that's what we would call a great loss.” 

The room went silent.  No other children volunteered.  David searched the room.  “Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a tragedy?” 

Finally, at the back of the room, wee Johnny raised his hand.  In a quiet voice he said:  “If a plane kerryin' you and Mr.Clegg wis struck by a freendly fire missile an' blawn tae smithereens, that wid be a tragedy.”

“Fantastic!” exclaimed David, “That's right.  And can you tell me why that would be a tragedy?”

“Weel,” says wee Johnny “it his tae be a tragedy, because it certainly widnae be a great loss..... and it probably widnae be a f***ing accident either!”

Dirty mind?