Should Gazza Be Charged With This Offence?

[agchristie]

Initially he wasn't going to be charged but according to newspapers the decision was reviewed because of his 'celebrity status'.

Should this matter?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3625062/Paul-Gascoigne-appear-court-making-racially-aggravated-joke-black-bouncer-appearing-Evening-Gazza-event.html

[EDDIE51]

Last I heard he was said to be so ill he was 'at death's door' due to liver failure. He he made a recovery?

[ummmm]

Have they told us what the joke is in the article? I started reading it but then it just started going about his alcoholism.

[agchristie]

Bit more here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-36451693

[emeritus]

Details of what he said here

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3358047/Paul-Gascoigne-faces-police-probe-racist-joke-stage-not-able-black-security-guard-poor-light.html

[EDDIE51]

^ It concerned a black bouncer who he said was '' hiding in the shadows'' so we can guess the content.

[mushroom25]

this article in the local paper alludes to the joke's content:-
http://www.expressandstar.com/news/crime/2016/06/04/paul-gascoigne-charged-over-racial-joke-at-wolverhampton-civic-hall-show/

[ummmm]

Errr no...a bit OTT and if the black bouncer was offended by it he's in the wrong job!

[Baldric]

Sounds like another let's be offended of behalf of someone else incident.

[Old_Geezer]

Nowhere seems to have the courage to state the joke, but this sounds way over the top to me. I guess it is about dark skinned people being less easy to see in a dark corner or some such thing. One would have thought that the CPS had more important cases to see, but apparently it must be the slow season and they're scraping the barrel for someone to prosecute.

[agchristie]

How many different lawyers need to look at this?

If the CPS cannot decide how can we expect potential jurors to convict him?

[Mamyalynne]

I recall when it was discussed on here at the time the security man had not expressed any upset and had posed for photos with Paul later that night.

[-Talbot-]

I doubt many will admit it but most of us have said things like this. Madness.
Didn't he ask him to smile so he could see him? (Old uns aren't always the best uns)

[ummmm]

Talbot...I've said stuff like that...loads of times. Only to people I know who equally joke about me.

He's a security guard. If he can't take a joke, tasteless or not, or abuse, he's in the wrong job!

[-Talbot-]

I agree ummmm, I think the bouncer would see it as his 15mins of fame.

[New Judge]

“If the CPS cannot decide how can we expect potential jurors to convict him?”

It is extremely unlikely that any jurors will be involved, Aggy.

None of the reports I’ve read properly state the charge. I’ve read that he made a “racially aggravated joke” and “racially aggravated abuse” neither of which are actual offences.

He’s probably been charged under Section 5 of the Public Order Act. Even when racially aggravated this is a “summary only” matter which can only be heard in the Magistrates’ Court. The offence can only be dealt with by way of a fine. (£1,000 maximum for the standard offence, £2,500 maximum if racially aggravated).

The CPS have been spectacularly inept in dealing with this matter. It seems they might just have scraped in before the six month time limit to lay charges before the court elapsed (after which no prosecution of most summary offences can take place). All a bit of a mountain out of a molehill especially when even the alleged “victim” was none too fussed.

[ChillDoubt]

Not enough money or staff to adequately and safely patrol our borders and maintain national security but plenty to p! $h away on a senseless prosecution. Pathetic in the extreme.

[sp1814]

This was discuss a while back on AB, and the 'joke' didn't make any sense.

The black bouncer was standing in the shadows, and Gazza said he couldn't tell whether he was smiling or not.

See? Makes absolutely no sense.

I assume Gascoigne was drunk at the time.

[Prudie]

I must be a racist as I can't see why this is so abusive or hate filled. It is a fact that you can't see dark things in the dark, isn't that why you should wear light clothes or reflectors when cycling/walking at night? Or are we not allowed to say that people really do have skin of a darker colour?
With all of Gazza's problems this seems like pure harassment on top.

[New Judge]

"See? Makes absolutely no sense."

The bouncer had no teeth, sp.

"I assume Gascoigne was drunk at the time."

I've heard rumour that bears sometimes go to the toilet in the woods. I've also heard it said, though cannot be sure, that the Pope follows the Catholic faith.

"Or are we not allowed to say that people really do have skin of a darker colour? "

No Prudie. Strictly verboten.

[agchristie]

NJ - thanks for explaining about the court system. I had a feeling after I clicked 'submit' that the matter would not be put before a jury!

It does seem extraordinary, to out it mildly, that the CPS have gone to the lengths they have.

I understand that a reversal can be granted by a person(s) who request a review but I'm not clear about why the case was transferred to London because of 'celebrity status'.

Is that standard procedure and if so, why?