Geoffrey Settle Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Given Obs keeps refering to libellous statements on this site, I wonder if this is the sort of compensation he is looking for? It occurred back on Wednesday, 22 March 2006, 13:48 GMT - BBC news site. Online libel costs woman ?10,000 Ms Williams was a contributor to a Yahoo! discussion board A woman who waged an abusive internet campaign against a politician has been ordered to pay him ?10,000 in damages. UK Independence Party member Michael Keith Smith brought the libel case against Tracy Williams over remarks she made on a Yahoo! discussion board. Mr Smith, 53, of Fareham, Hampshire, contested the Portsmouth North constituency at the General Election. Ms Williams, of Oldham, Gtr Manchester, used a pseudonym to post claims that he was a sexual offender and racist bigot. Ms Williams had also claimed that the chartered surveyor had sexually harassed a female co-worker, had been charged with soliciting boys and cottaging and that he was a sexual deviant and pervert. No defence In June 2004, Mr Smith, of Portchester, Fareham, obtained a court order requiring the site operator to disclose Ms Williams' identity. Judge Macduff QC said the legal proceedings that then followed only provoked her into more "frenzied abuse", which continued well into 2005. But Ms Williams, who did not attend the High Court hearing and did not file a defence, had not tried to justify her statements which were clearly defamatory, the judge said. Ms Williams had met a request for an apology with contempt, the court heard. Mr Smith was awarded ?5,000 general damages plus ?5,000 aggravated damages to reflect the way Ms Williams had behaved. He granted an injunction preventing further publication of the same or similar libels and ordered Ms Williams to pay the costs of the action, which Mr Smith put at ?7,200. After reading the above is everyone happy about what they are posting and will people's identities have to be disclosed? [ 14.03.2008, 21:30: Message edited by: Semi-retired Geoff ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 I'm happy with what I post are you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Think it's you who needs to worry Geoff; although your probably too thick to realise it, and probably too poor to pay up?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted March 14, 2008 Report Share Posted March 14, 2008 Thick and Poor Could be worse though.... you could be a complete twit like obs or a dizzy dim wit like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 How on earth is Geoff possibly a "threat" to me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Settle Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Is that milk & sugar or are you wseet enough? He is right Dissy I don't know or understand what libel on www is all about maybe an administrator can explain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Original Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Obs I dont think there is any need for the way you are behaving towards Geoff,if you dont get on with Geoff thats fine but there no need to be rude towards any poster for whatever reason. Steve [ 15.03.2008, 17:26: Message edited by: Steve the original ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonymaillman Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Steve - I'll still be givin' you some stick though ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve the Original Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Originally posted by tonymailman: Steve - I'll still be givin' you some stick though ! Thats fine as long as you dont hit me with it because i might stick it where the sun dont shine Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonymaillman Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted March 15, 2008 Report Share Posted March 15, 2008 The solution to possible 'Libel' is that as long as we all make sure we are equally libelous towards each other in our postings none of us will sue any other so we are ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Kennedy Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 One person's libel is another person's banter I guess. Thick skins...broad shoulders...water off a duck's back....come to mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Thick skins...broad shoulders...water off a duck's back....come to mind A necessary part of the job Paul? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Problem is: with most politicians "thick" has many applications! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizzy Posted March 16, 2008 Report Share Posted March 16, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 17, 2008 Report Share Posted March 17, 2008 Wimps shouldn't join forums, scouse wimps should be banned. [ 17.03.2008, 00:02: Message edited by: Eagle ] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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