Only in Britain - Homophobia against a Horse alleged - Court

[DVB Cornwall]

'Gay' police horse case dropped

A student who called a mounted policeman's horse "gay" will not be prosecuted, it has been revealed.

But police have stood by their decision to take Sam Brown to court for making "homophobic comments" despite the Crown Prosecution Service dropping the case.

Mr Brown, 21, a student at Oxford University, had said to an officer: "Excuse me, do you realise your horse is gay?"

Police took the case to court after Mr Brown refused to pay a £80 fine.

Mr Brown, who made the comment during a night out with friends in Oxford after his final exams, was arrested under section 5 of the Public Order Act for making homophobic remarks.

more ...
BBC News - Oxfordshire

[Sput]

Isn't this a *really* old story, or has it only just now come to court?

[DVB Cornwall]

It emerged at Oxford Magistrates' Court on Thursday that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had chosen to discontinue the case.

Updated today.

[Lorns]

I never heard about it till today on newsbeat. I had to have a little chuckle when Sam Brown ( or whatever his name is) said to a judge that he didn't realise horses were so sensitive.

[Dr Lobster*]

and there's this story too: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4603474.stm

i don't think many people agree with iqbal sacranie (i don't and it was a pretty damn stupid thing to say) but i think he has every right to voice his views.

and then to hear that the police are investigating to determine if those comments were an offence under the public order act is beyond belief. i can't understand why public money is being wasted on things like this.

surely the police should be using these resouces to prosecute the real homophobes of this world who attack others without provocation?

[Sput]

surely the police should be using these resouces to prosecute the real homophobes of this world who attack others without provocation?

But they'd actually have to FIND them!