4 ms·
This sort of thing is relatively common in Britain. After the riots in 2011, several people were arrested and jailed, some for fairly lengthy periods (years) f
by andyking 14y ago
This sort of thing is relatively common in Britain.
After the riots in 2011, several people were arrested and jailed, some for fairly lengthy periods (years) for posting that they were going to start rioting in various towns.
Most didn't actually get involved in the physical confrontation or violence, or even leave their houses, but were charged with "incitement."
There have been similar cases since for less serious matters, particularly when it comes to messages posted on Twitter. I don't recall all the details, but someone was arrested for "threatening" an Olympic diver on the site a few weeks ago.
It's sad that this news story doesn't even shock me. It's so common here now. (Mind you, this lad looks like he'd be safer off the roads.)
- sharkweek 14y agoI've asked all my lawyer friends this question and they all sort of puzzle over it; maybe I can get some insight here: If I walk into a police station and say "I was about to rob a bank, I'd like to turn myself in" without taking any realistic steps to actually robbing the bank, am I prosecutable?
- gwright 14y agoThat is not a very good analogy to 'incitement' in the parent comment. A better example would be explaining to the police that you loudly and publically encouraged your buddies to start a brawl in the pub but then left the scene before the fists started to fly. I'm not sure where free speech legally becomes incitement though but I'm pretty sure it involves encouraging other people to do something rather then failing to convince yourself.
- andrewcooke 14y agorta - his car had damage that matched a hit+run. i have no idea what point you're making by drawing comparisons with incitement.