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A motorist in Scotland, UK is fined $238 and sent to jail for two days for the crime of revving his Lotus Esprit in a racist manner.
Scottish motorist Ronnie Hutton, 49, was jailed for two days for the crime of "revving his car in a racist manner" last September. After waiting more than a year to try the case, the Stirling Sheriff court finally convicted Hutton last week of breach of the peace and fined him £150 (US $282).
An off duty officer, Chief Inspector Eoin Jenkins, said Hutton had revved the engine of his Lotus Esprit near two Muslims last year. After Hutton dismissed Jenkins
Originally posted by stumason
Well, that's one way of completely misreporting a story, well done America! Perhaps the OP should research his topic first before posting it and then follwoing up with inflammatory remarks about the UK, something he clearly knows nothing about.
Firstly, he wasn't convicted of any racism offence, but rather breach of the peace for telling the Police Officer to "F**k off" when they came to his house after the muslim couple made the complaint.
Secondly, he wasn't sent to jail for the offence, he ended up being kept in a cell for nearly two days before he went to court because he was arrested on the weekend.
Read the proper story here...
[edit on 27/6/09 by stumason]
5 Harassment, alarm or distress
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a) uses threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, or
(b) displays any writing, sign or other visible representation which is threatening, abusive or insulting,
within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress thereby.
Originally posted by stumason
He wasn't sent to jail for the offence, he was just held after his arrest pending a court appearence, where he duly complained to the JP about his incarceration. He was probably held, judging by the offence, due to him refusing the fine of £80 that usually accompanies a charge of Breach of the peace. Had he accepted the fine, then he would have been on his way.
Following the row last September, police officers arrived at Ronnie's home and asked him to come with them to talk about the incident. He ended up being kept in a cell for two nights before being taken to court where he was released without charge.
He complained to the fiscal and the new charges surfaced months later. He said: "The police kept me in custody over the weekend because I made the mistake of swearing at a senior officer."
Originally posted by stumason
He wasn't sent to jail for the offence, he was just held after his arrest pending a court appearence,
Originally posted by stumason
I explained how it was. He was held under a public order offence. You get a choice, pay a fine or go to court.
Originally posted by stumason
It really is quite simple.
Originally posted by stumason
EDIT: Seems alot of people here have "opinions" about something they know fudge all about. It might surprise you, but the UK is NOT the USA. We are allowed to do things differently. Add into the equation this is Scotland, which operates differently to England, Wales and NI.
Originally posted by stumason
reply to post by tezzajw
Well, stone me! You mean in America when you're arrested, you don't go get held against your will? Whodathunkit....
Originally posted by stumason
You're showing a complete ignorance of the UK legal system.
As he was arrested on a weekend and obviously refused the fine option, the next available day upon which he could be heard by a JP would be Monday.
Originally posted by stumason
You're showing a complete ignorance of the UK legal system.