UK Internet Troll Pleads Guilty; Gets Fined

[Jello Biafra]

From: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv ... o-11918656

This is the internet troll who made vile comments about tragic teenager Mzee Mohammed .

Rowan O’Connell, 23, was hit with a fine by magistrates today over the sick outbust following the death of Mzee, 18.

The “gentle giant” died after becoming unwell while detained by police officers at Liverpool ONE in July.

O’Connell took to social media website Reddit, where he made baseless allegations, labelling Mzee a “good for nothing, spice smoking, Toxteth monkey”.

He added: “As I say, who gives a f***.”

O’Connell, of Back North Crescent in Lytham St Annes, Lancs, pleaded guilty to sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature at Sefton Magistrates’ Court today.

He was fined £275 and ordered to pay costs of £115.

I'm not sure that fining internet trolls is the right thing to do, but I'm not wholly opposed to it either. Also, it appears that internet trolling is, in fact, illegal in the UK.
What do you all think? Should internet trolling be illegal? Maybe in some circumstances but not others? Was O'Connell's punishment too severe or lenient?

[FelrikTheDeleted]

Fining others for saying something is not the answer, he didn't encourage or incite violence nor did he intimidate or threaten anyone.
So I personally I don't see why they're allowed to do this.

[Scandinavian Nations]

What do you all think?

I think internet trolls should receive a small stipend from the government for the long overtime hours they spend on the internet curing the society of its ail of hypersensitivity.

[Mefpan]

For fuck's sake. An inflated balloon has thicker skin than the entirety of mankind combined these days, it seems.

Oh my fucking god, someone said mean things on the internet. Quick, drag him before court before even more people are exposed to the fact that some people are dicks!

[Esternial]

At least make the troll publicly apologise or something. Fining accomplishes little.

Embarrass him if you really want to punish trolls.

[Augusta Pinochet]

Great Britain is slowly taken over by Cultural Marxism. This is just another proof.

[The Blaatschapen]

I am okay with this, but only if the proceeds go to people who get rid of trolls online.

[Mefpan]

I am okay with this, but only if the proceeds go to people who get rid of trolls online.

Yes please, let's give monetary incentive on top of the vague feelgood-sensation of stopping people from saying mean things. I'm sure that won't cause an even bigger witch hunt against opinions people don't like under the guise of troll hunting.

[Ifreann]

Great Britain is slowly taken over by Cultural Marxism. This is just another proof.

Yes, the ruling right wing Conservative party is big into Marx.

[Herskerstad]

A guy has a mean opinion! Harambe did not die for this, where is the police!

[Dakini]

I am okay with this, but only if the proceeds go to people who get rid of trolls online.

Yes please, let's give monetary incentive on top of the vague feelgood-sensation of stopping people from saying mean things. I'm sure that won't cause an even bigger witch hunt against opinions people don't like under the guise of troll hunting.

I like how in your rush to complain about people being too sensitive, you missed Blaat's joke there.

[Wansul]

Freedom of speech

[Mefpan]

Great Britain is slowly taken over by Cultural Marxism. This is just another proof.

Yes, the ruling right wing Conservative party is big into Marx.

They're too busy with selling every bit of government property to concern themselves with the developing social train crash.

Yes please, let's give monetary incentive on top of the vague feelgood-sensation of stopping people from saying mean things. I'm sure that won't cause an even bigger witch hunt against opinions people don't like under the guise of troll hunting.

I like how in your rush to complain about people being too sensitive, you missed Blaat's joke there.

Sarcasm detectors don't work on NSG.

[Old Tyrannia]

I am okay with this, but only if the proceeds go to people who get rid of trolls online.

I endorse this statement.

More seriously, while the guy is an unpleasant arsehole and the things he said were unconscionable, I don't regard this as an appropriate area for the law to regulate. You can't criminalise insults, whether they're made on the Internet or not. If O'Connell had been harassing the family and friends of the victim- well, then you might have had a case.

[Dakini]

I like how in your rush to complain about people being too sensitive, you missed Blaat's joke there.

Sarcasm detectors don't work on NSG.

You don't need sarcasm detectors when someone with a red-lettered name is making a joke about how people who moderate on the internet should collect the proceeds of such fines.

[Herskerstad]

Freedom of speech

Not really a thing, at least not in the UK constitution in regards to 'insulting' speech.

Thankfully I am not in UK or their attempts to socially reform their nation after whatever tumblr throws at it these days.

[Nea Videssos]

Seems a bit silly. Especially considering how common trolling on the internet is. Though I suppose (assuming you could actually track down said trolls on the internet) it would serve as a decent extra revenue for whoever/whatever the money ends up with.

Still not very smart. What next, are people going to try and moderate YouTube comments?

[Mefpan]

Sarcasm detectors don't work on NSG.

You don't need sarcasm detectors when someone with a red-lettered name is making a joke about how people who moderate on the internet should collect the proceeds of such fines.

I'm German. Does that make me sound like someone who understands the concept and underlying principles of a joke?

[Dakini]

You don't need sarcasm detectors when someone with a red-lettered name is making a joke about how people who moderate on the internet should collect the proceeds of such fines.

I'm German. Does that make me sound like someone who understands the concept and underlying principles of a joke?

Yes.

Or at least it doesn't make you sound like you're incapable of understanding a joke.

[Esternial]

Sarcasm detectors don't work on NSG.

You don't need sarcasm detectors when someone with a red-lettered name is making a joke about how people who moderate on the internet should collect the proceeds of such fines.

Gah you explained the joke.

Ruined it.

[Dakini]

You don't need sarcasm detectors when someone with a red-lettered name is making a joke about how people who moderate on the internet should collect the proceeds of such fines.

Gah you explained the joke.

Ruined it.

Sorry.

[Aelex]

Ho well, I'm sure fining people who say things the government disagree with on the internet is only bad when it's Third World countries who're doing it.
Also, totally won't radicalise the debate even more.

[Vassenor]

Seems a bit silly. Especially considering how common trolling on the internet is. Though I suppose (assuming you could actually track down said trolls on the internet) it would serve as a decent extra revenue for whoever/whatever the money ends up with.

Still not very smart. What next, are people going to try and moderate YouTube comments?

Yes, actually.

[Pope Joan]

I recommend pelting the offender with rotten vegetables

[Wansul]

Freedom of speech

Not really a thing, at least not in the UK constitution in regards to 'insulting' speech.

Thankfully I am not in UK or their attempts to socially reform their nation after whatever tumblr throws at it these days.

Exactly. The UK, a more free nation than a lot, needs some political reforms