Peterborough bloke warned over 'offensive' t-shirt

'Don't piss me off', declares pissed-off perp

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Bootnotes, 13th August 2007 10:11 GMT

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A Peterborough forklift driver who threatened to undermine law and order in the former Roman city by wearing a t-shirt declaring "Don't piss me off! I am running out of places to hide the bodies" has been warned he'll cop an 80 quid fine if caught again wearing the offending apparel.

The suitably-monikered David Pratt was collared by street wardens as he and his missus waited for a bus, the BBC reports. They told him the shirt "could cause offence or incite violence", and issued a verbal warning.

Pratt is having none of it, and is demanding a written apology. He said: "I really don't see how the wording on my t-shirt could incite violence - it's humour, that's all it is."

Peterborough City Council countered with a statement which read: "The incident is the subject of an official complaint to the council and is currently under investigation. However, using offensive, abusive, or insulting language is an offence under the Public Order Act, which also applies to such language appearing in print.

"In what was an amicable conversation, the street warden advised the gentleman concerned that his t-shirt could cause offence and if he was to wear it again he could run the risk of being issued an £80 on-the-spot fine from the police." ®

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