Man jailed for offensive social media posts in wake of recent disorder
A man has been jailed today after pleading guilty to posting grossly offensive messages on social media.
On or about 31 July 2024, Lee Dunn, 51, re-posted three images with captions which were grossly offensive, and which risked worsening community tensions.
During his police interview Dunn admitted distributing the images and captions on social media. He claimed that he was just following the herd but when he saw the comments under what he posted, he knew it was a mistake and posted an apology message, deleting the previous messages.
He pleaded guilty to sending a grossly offensive message at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on 12 August 2024 and was jailed for eight weeks.
Janet Potter, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “This conviction should be a stark reminder to so-called keyboard warriors: online actions have consequences.
“The Crown Prosecution Service has worked around the clock to ensure those involved in any way, in the current disorder are hauled before the courts as quickly as possible.
“This type of social media offending will not be tolerated. Those who take part in online offences will be brought to justice swiftly.”
Notes to editors
- Lee Dunn, date of birth 10/07/1973, is from Egremont, Cumbria and pleaded guilty to a charge of sending a grossly offensive message, contrary to section 127(1)(a) and (3) of the Communications Act 2003.