Posted on 01/12/2006 8:59:10 AM PST by Dane
Student escapes prosecution over 'gay horse' remarks 12/01/2006 - 15:09:47
An final-year Oxford University student from Belfast who called a mounted policeman’s horse gay will not be prosecuted, it was announced today.
Police stood by their decision to take Sam Brown (aged 21) to court for making “homophobic comments” after the Crown Prosecution Service today dropped the case.
Mr Brown approached the officer during a night out with friends in Oxford after his final exams, and said: “Excuse me, do you realise your horse is gay?”
Moments later, two Thames Valley Police squad cars appeared in the High Street and Mr Brown was arrested under section five of the Public Order Act for making homophobic remarks.
His remarks were deemed likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Mr Brown, an English Literature graduate, then at Oxford’s Balliol College, spent the night of May 30 last year in the cells.
He refused to pay an £80 (€117.10) fine, so police took the case to court.
But at Oxford Magisrates’ Court today it emerged the Crown Prosecution Service had chosen to discontinue the case.
Prosecutor Cariad Eveson-Webb said: “The police issued a summons but the CPS have decided they do not wish to proceed.
“In their opinion there is not enough evidence to prove it [Mr Brown’s behaviour] was disorderly.”
Thames Valley Police today defended their decision to take the case to court.
A spokesman said: “We present the case to the CPS and the CPS make the decision to proceed or not.
“He made homophobic comments that were deemed offensive to people passing by.”
He denied the police were heavy-handed, and claimed that Mr Brown was drunk and that he had made repeated comments about the horse being gay, despite requests from the officers to desist.
Matthew Williams (aged 21), a friend of Mr Brown, witnessed events last May.
He said Mr Brown jokingly approached one of two mounted policemen saying: “Excuse me, do you realise your horse is gay?”
Mr Brown then repeated: “Your horse is gay,“ he said.
Mr Williams, a fellow Oxford English Literature graduate, said the officer called for back-up and two squad cars appeared. Mr Brown was then arrested and taken to the station.
“Sam’s comments were said in jest. It was very clear that they were not homophobic,” he added
the poor lad should've explained himself better, "Officer, I mean that your horse is gay as in happy, 'cause if he was gay, he wouldn't be gay at all. On the other had since he is not gay, he seems to be very gay. Try that for a tongue-twister.
O-o-ops. "On the other hand..."
BUSTED! Peoples Ad Hoc Committee For Political Correctness |
Being somewhat intoxicated and confused, maybe he thought the horse was the one in "Brokeback Mountain".
Maybe HairOfTheDog? (See post #8)
Canterbury Tales, Prologue:
He was a very perfect gentle knight.
But for to telle you of his array,
His horse was good, but yet he was not gay.
Next we'll hear that the horse has had to consult a pet psychologist to deal with the resulting Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
No, the horse speaks....Gay-lic....
Good God what an awful pun. But I couldn't resist.
The horse was dressed up in leather. Any reasonable person would have questions.
America is the last bastion of Western Civilization.
They guy was an English Lit major making a reference to Canterbury Tales. The Brits may need to reaccess the educational requirements for their recruits.
Yeah, I can’t fathom how calling a horse gay can be construed as homophobic. Sign of being drunk and disorderly? Probably, but then charge him with that. Well done to him for telling the police where to go with their stupid fine.
If you’re drunk (and no doubt the guy was), don’t say something stupid to a policeman. At the moment they’ll happily fine you. But charges like this are ridiculous.
maybe this was the horse he meant?
Do many policemen study Chaucer?
(1) A person is guilty of an offence if, with intent to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress, 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,
thereby causing that or another person harassment, alarm or distress.
Most American students read Chaucer in high school. I would expect the Brits to know their own lit.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.