<b>Internet troll found guilty of thought crimes, sentenced to 30 months in prison:</b> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/5412558.stm Walker race hate messager jailed A man who posted racist messages on a website set up in memory of murdered black teenager Anthony Walker has been jailed for two years and eight months. Neil Martin, 30, of Maghull, posted the offensive remarks just days after the 18-year-old student was killed with an ice axe in Huyton, Merseyside. He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to publishing material intended or likely to stir up racial hatred. Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told Martin he had "trespassed and intruded on the grief of the Walker family". "The intention of the website was innocent, honourable and well motivated," he said. <b>"You accessed that website and you abused its use. You posted highly abusive, insulting and racist messages on the site." ... "It was shocking to think someone could think something so evil and it is good that they are doing something about stopping these type of people," she said. "Hitler started with an idea, slavery started with an idea, so it is good that this was stopped in time."</b>
Most of the sentence wasnt for the trolling per se, according to the article, but thats pretty bloody low regardless. Bit like heckling at a funeral, its just not cricket.
fair enough mate... acts as a bit of a deterrent i guess... thing is, in this new nintendo world, there are no incentives for civic behaviour are there?... guy shld've been forbidden to post for 30 months as well imo!
True-no incentive for it. "Ya try and be nice ta people,and resist da urge to punch'em in the face, an whaddya get for it? Nuttin.'' Moe Sizlak, the simpsons.
"He pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to publishing material intended or likely to stir up racial hatred." You might want to put some thought into this before you support this court ruling. "Material intended or likely to stir up racial hatred" can have a pretty broad interputation. And you can bet your last buck the lawyers will stretch it to the max. In our, walk on egg shells world where there are armies of people just looking to be offended, this ruling is ripe for abuse. Of course some will call me a racist for pointing this out, which will further illustrate my point.
this is europe man, ppl don't get easily offended... political correctness has never and will never cross the atlantic...