New statistics released by two thirds of the country’s police forces have revealed that almost 2,000 children have been investigated in the last three years over comments posted on social media sites. Of those, over 1,200 were charged, formally cautioned, fined or warned following their online behaviour, including one aged only nine years old. These figures are … Continue reading
Isabella Sorley, 23, and John Nimmo, 25, have both been handed a prison sentence after sending tweets to journalist and equality campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez in July last year. They pleaded guilty to sending by means of a public electronic communications network messages which were menacing in character, contrary to Section 127(1) (A) of the Communications … Continue reading
The UK’s first Youth Police Commissioner will not face prosecution over inappropriate tweets which led to her resignation. Kent Police have confirmed that 17 year old Paris Brown will not be prosecuted in respect of the allegedly racist, homophobic and violent tweets revealed by the Mail on Sunday earlier this month. Brown had only been … Continue reading
Dominic Grieve QC, the Attorney General, has recently been speaking out about the use of social media and advocating a zero tolerance approach. When I met with him we discussed this and how his own position might be seen to be at odds with some of his colleagues in public office. Dominic Grieve has enjoyed a steady … Continue reading
In December 2012, Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) set out interim guidelines for the prosecution of people who misuse social media, but are these suitable for use in the workplace? As a result of an increase in the number of allegations the Crown Prosecution Service has had to deal with – about … Continue reading
Kevin Poulter 