September 28, 2007
Uh, has anyone tried talking to the kid?
This is the sort of thing that damages the best-intentioned anti-discrimination laws:
Fingerprinted and Fined: Girl, 10, Who Crayoned on a WallGirl Guide Shannon Smith, 10, was fingerprinted by the police and fined £40 after marking a neighbour’s wall with crayon. The tearful little girl was also threatened with an Asbo.*
. . .
Police called at the family’s home after being told Shannon and her eight-year-old brother Aaron had written on a neighbour’s house. Aaron, who is below the age of criminal responsibility, was told off by an officer for scrawling “Harry Is Gay” about a playmate.
But the following morning at 7.30, the officer returned and questioned Shannon, who tearfully admitted she had written a three-inch “S” for Shannon in red crayon on the wall beneath Aaron’s graffiti. …
. . .
Sgt Paul Leigh, the town’s community engagement officer, said: “We are committed to tackling all reports of anti-social behaviour and remain victim-focused.”
* ASBO = in the UK & N. Ireland, an “Anti-Social Behaviour Order”
Filed under: Crime, Random Stupidity, United Kingdom & N.I.
