Swearing at police is no longer a crime because officers hear foul-mouthed abuse too often to be offended, a High Court judge has ruled.
The landmark judgement came as Mr Justice Bean overturned a public order conviction of a young suspect who repeatedly used the F-word while being searched for drugs.
Chief Superintendent Betty Zarudeboy told us, "My officers are well-used to offensive language. They're not offended although their feeling are often hurt."
Mr. Justice Bean also brought another case to light. He said that it demonstrated good reason to swear at the police. "I offer the following as I heard it in court, where, in this case I was in full sympathy with the man in the dock."
« Boy did that policeman look a c**t in court, swearing my wife was doing 79 on that motorway. Forensic evidence proved beyond doubt our car wouldn't do any more than 67 in first gear. »
The ruling is moving beyond Police Officers. Traffic Wardens, long the object of motorists' ire, are now legitimate targets for tirades of foul-mouthed abuse.
Mike Arscrap wrote to us: "I parked in a Disabled space yesterday and a traffic warden shouted, 'Oi, what's your disability?' I replied, 'Tourettes! Now f*** off you c**t!' Not a thing he could do!"
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