A wealthy businessman was arrested at home in front of his wife and young son over an email which council officials deemed ‘offensive’ to gipsies – but which he had not even written.

 

The email, concerning a planning appeal by a gipsy, included the phrase: ‘It’s the 'do as you likey' attitude that I am against.’

 

Council staff believed the email was offensive because ‘likey’ rhymes with the derogatory term ‘pikey’.

 

The 45-year-old IT boss was held in a police cell for four hours until it was established he had nothing to do with the email, which had been sent by one of his then workers, Paul Osmond.

 

But police had taken his DNA and later confirmed they would be holding it indefinitely.

 

The businessman, who has asked not to be named, was also fingerprinted in the police investigation estimated to have cost taxpayers up to £12,000.

 

He said two uniformed officers came to his house on a Sunday afternoon and said he would be handcuffed if he did not accompany them to the police station.

 

His computer and other internet equipment were also seized.

 

The email, from a computer at his company, was sent last August to a website at Rother District Council, in East Sussex, on which the public can comment on planning applications.

 

Read more: <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1241994/Businessman-arrested-wife-son--anti-gipsy--email-didn-t-write.html#ixzz0cAY9l8Sx" target="_blank">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12...l#ixzz0cAY9l8Sx</a>

 

:wacko: :mellow:

Edited January 10, 201015 yr by Ethan.

I'm certain this has been either faked or embellished, it's just too ridiculous to be entirely true as they're telling it.

 

What were you doing reading the Daily Mail anyway Ethan, I thought you fancied yourself an intellectual?

surely thats not true.... heads need to roll if it is.. from the police and council.

Given it is the Daily Mail I can't believe this happened but yeah if it did there needs to be sackings

 

Martin Brundle the F1 commentator even called gypsies pikeys on live tv once and he was never arrested although his bosses made him apologise

Edited January 10, 201015 yr by B.A Baracus

Also, what makes me pretty sure that this has been embellished - an accusation based on such a tenuous claim as this wouldn't land somebody in a cell. No, there's more to this, if it even happened at all...

Also, what makes me pretty sure that this has been embellished - an accusation based on such a tenuous claim as this wouldn't land somebody in a cell. No, there's more to this, if it even happened at all...

 

Agreed.

 

Note to Ethan: Never use a fascist right-wing paper as a source to validate a right-wing point of view. The same applies from a left-wing perspective. If you had this story from say The Guardian or The Independent it would have been a lot more credible.

 

So to help you out here is a story that has been verified and has been all over the media today:

 

Police warn TV star Myleene Klass over knife

By Matt Dickinson and Paula Fentiman, Press Association

Monday, 11 January 2010

 

Myleene Klass was said to be "aghast" and "bemused" today after being warned by police for waving a knife at youths who entered her garden.

 

The TV star and Marks & Spencer model was in the kitchen with her daughter upstairs when she spotted the teenagers peering into her window just after midnight on Friday. She grabbed a knife and banged the windows before they ran away.

 

Hertfordshire Police officers warned Miss Klass she should not have used a knife to scare off the youths because carrying an "offensive weapon" - even in her own home - was illegal.

 

Her spokesman Jonathan Shalit said the former Hearsay singer was "utterly terrified" and was stepping up security at the property near Potters Bar.

 

He told the Sunday Telegraph: "Myleene was aghast when she was told that the law did not allow her to defend herself at home.

 

"All she did was scream loudly and wave the knife to try and frighten them off.

"She is not looking to be a vigilante, and has the utmost respect for the law, but when the police explained to her that even if you're at home alone and you have an intruder, you are not allowed to protect yourself, she was bemused."

 

Miss Klass' fiance Graham Quinn was away on business at the time of the scare.

It came amid calls for greater rights for people to defend themselves against intruders on their property.

Last month when Munir Hussain was jailed for beating a man who tied up his family in their home. He and his brother used a cricket bat to beat one of the intruders.

The case prompted the Conservatives to pledge they would make it harder for people who tackle burglars to be prosecuted.

 

A spokeswoman for Herts Police said no reference was made on the Klass incident report about a weapon.

She said: "We got a call at 12.45am (on Friday) to reports of the owner of the property hearing noises outside their address.

"They had been there for 45 minutes.

"Officers were in attendance and checked the property.

"There was no one around although they could see footprints in the snow.

"No property had been taken and there were no intruders.

"It was treated as a trespass incident.

"Words of advice were given in relation to ensuring suspicious behaviour is reported immediately."

 

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The Government strongly supports the right of law abiding people to defend themselves, their families and their property with reasonable force.

 

"That is why we introduced the self defence provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.

"These made it clear that as long as they use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, people should have confidence that the law will support them. The level of force used should not be excessive or disproportionate in the circumstances as they viewed them.

 

"What the law does not permit, however, is an act of revenge.

"Punishment of criminals is rightly a matter for the courts: it is not for victims, vigilantes or anyone else to take the law into their own hands by seeking to punish an offender for a crime committed against them, their friends or family."

The only dispute in the Klass case seems to be over what the police told her. In any event, she hasn't been charged so it's not particularly relevant.

The only dispute in the Klass case seems to be over what the police told her. In any event, she hasn't been charged so it's not particularly relevant.

 

Well seeing how she has been all over the media today making these allegations, then if they are untrue then surely the Hertfordshire Police should charge her.

 

 

Anyway, I'll post a much more high profile local case in my area and the local news:

 

Trowbridge attack victim ready to go home for Christmas

10:17am Wednesday 23rd December 2009

Swindon Evening Advertiser By Charley Morgan

 

Trowbridge man Kevin Watson, who was left brain damaged after a brutal attack in the town, is preparing to spend his first Christmas at home with his family in two years.

 

Mr Watson, 32, was left in a coma and on a life-support machine for two months after being attacked by a 17-year-old teenager in Castle Street, in October 2007.

 

He is now at the specialist neurological rehabilitation centre, Glenside Manor, near Salisbury.

 

Kevin’s father, David, of Southfield in Southwick, will collect his son from Salisbury on Christmas Day morning to spend it with his family and then drive him back there in the evening, as he and his wife do not have the facilities at their home to have him stay overnight.

 

Mr Watson, who runs Littleton Garden Machinery near Trowbridge, said: “Initially, because of the extent of his injuries, we weren’t sure if he would even be home for another Christmas, so everything is a real bonus at the moment.

 

“The first Christmas he was still in Frenchay Hospital in intensive care and the second Christmas he was in the Mineral Hospital in Bath.

 

“Both times we went in to see him on Christmas Day, but this will be the first time he will be at home for Christmas since the assault.

“It will be good; it’ll make it a nice atmosphere to have Kevin home. The family have been looking forward to buying him presents and he will be there to share it all with them.”

 

At home with them will be Kevin’s mother, Carol, his sister Jennifer, 29, and brother Steven, 28. His other brother Peter, 26, cannot be with them for Christmas Day, but will be there on Christmas Eve.

 

Mr Watson was the victim of an unprovoked assault by a 17-year-old youth in Trowbridge town centre in October 2007.

 

The youth, with eleven previous offences on record, who still cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to a two-year detention and training order but had his sentence halved on appeal after a judge gave him credit for pleading guilty and accounting for Mr Watson's attempts at defending himself. The teenager was out of prison before Mr Watson even left hospital.

 

Mr Watson revealed his desire to return to work at the apetito factory in Canal Road, Trowbridge, after returning there on Monday to collect a new £4,500 electric wheelchair, paid for by his former colleagues.

 

He said: “This chair will really help me to get around. I am really grateful to my colleagues, they didn’t have to do this.

“I hope to be able to come back and work here again soon.”

 

His father added: “When it first happened it frightened the life out of all of us. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare.

“But this is a fantastic bonus for Kevin and the family. The guys here, some of them have visited him over the years, and that’s been a boost.

“When we have been talking he has said to me that it really helps to know that these guys are supporting him and still thinking about him after two years away.

“It (the chair) will make a tremendous difference. His right side is paralysed still so he can’t move himself around but this chair has a left hand-operated toggle.

"It is also very much a confidence boost – not only have they spent all this money, they believe in him.”

 

Paul Freeston, chief executive at apetito, said: “Kevin is a valued member of our team and his cheerful ways in the Pie site are missed, so we’re glad we could help.

“It was important for his colleagues to do something constructive and we are delighted to be able to fund something to aid his rehabilitation and well being.”

 

Agreed.

 

Note to Ethan: Never use a fascist right-wing paper as a source to validate a right-wing point of view. The same applies from a left-wing perspective. If you had this story from say The Guardian or The Independent it would have been a lot more credible.

 

So to help you out here is a story that has been verified and has been all over the media today:

 

Police warn TV star Myleene Klass over knife

By Matt Dickinson and Paula Fentiman, Press Association

Monday, 11 January 2010

 

Myleene Klass was said to be "aghast" and "bemused" today after being warned by police for waving a knife at youths who entered her garden.

 

The TV star and Marks & Spencer model was in the kitchen with her daughter upstairs when she spotted the teenagers peering into her window just after midnight on Friday. She grabbed a knife and banged the windows before they ran away.

 

Hertfordshire Police officers warned Miss Klass she should not have used a knife to scare off the youths because carrying an "offensive weapon" - even in her own home - was illegal.

 

Her spokesman Jonathan Shalit said the former Hearsay singer was "utterly terrified" and was stepping up security at the property near Potters Bar.

 

He told the Sunday Telegraph: "Myleene was aghast when she was told that the law did not allow her to defend herself at home.

 

"All she did was scream loudly and wave the knife to try and frighten them off.

"She is not looking to be a vigilante, and has the utmost respect for the law, but when the police explained to her that even if you're at home alone and you have an intruder, you are not allowed to protect yourself, she was bemused."

 

Miss Klass' fiance Graham Quinn was away on business at the time of the scare.

It came amid calls for greater rights for people to defend themselves against intruders on their property.

Last month when Munir Hussain was jailed for beating a man who tied up his family in their home. He and his brother used a cricket bat to beat one of the intruders.

The case prompted the Conservatives to pledge they would make it harder for people who tackle burglars to be prosecuted.

 

A spokeswoman for Herts Police said no reference was made on the Klass incident report about a weapon.

She said: "We got a call at 12.45am (on Friday) to reports of the owner of the property hearing noises outside their address.

"They had been there for 45 minutes.

"Officers were in attendance and checked the property.

"There was no one around although they could see footprints in the snow.

"No property had been taken and there were no intruders.

"It was treated as a trespass incident.

"Words of advice were given in relation to ensuring suspicious behaviour is reported immediately."

 

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The Government strongly supports the right of law abiding people to defend themselves, their families and their property with reasonable force.

 

"That is why we introduced the self defence provisions of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008.

"These made it clear that as long as they use reasonable force to protect themselves or others, people should have confidence that the law will support them. The level of force used should not be excessive or disproportionate in the circumstances as they viewed them.

 

"What the law does not permit, however, is an act of revenge.

"Punishment of criminals is rightly a matter for the courts: it is not for victims, vigilantes or anyone else to take the law into their own hands by seeking to punish an offender for a crime committed against them, their friends or family."

 

Ridiculous, again shows that the law is stacked up in favour of the criminal instead of the victim :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

 

I better watch out if I wave my hunting knife at anyone looking through my window :rolleyes:

 

That is just crazy, It really worries me how completely mad society has gone :( It cost taxpayers £12'000 for the fingerprinting.....this is the kind of thing I'd expect to see on some comedy skit show :/

 

So that means if I were to say "bigger" in public that means I'd be racist because it rhymes with the N word? :S

 

 

£12,000 to fingerprint someone :huh: that's f***ing retarded no wonder this countries up a creek without a bloody canoe. Sod the paddle this countries so far gone the paddle ain't gonna do jack

If either of you read, in all likelihood this never actually happened - think about it! :P

the sad thing is, that's quite likely to be an accurate figure. Regardless of the validity of the story.