April 6, 2009
Honest Guy Returns Cell Phone, Gets Arrested
Since when do we arrest good samaritans? Apparently in the UK it is nothing new. Paul Leicester, an A-level student at Southport College, Merseyside, was celebrating his 18th birthday when he came across a mobile phone laying on the ground. He picked it up and dialed the last number called, and let the friend of the owner know that he was going to leave the phone at the local police station. Unfortunately, when he arrived at the polcie station, he was arrested and charged with "theft by finding". The ordeal they put him through included holding him for at least four hours, forcing him to provide DNA samples, and threatening him with charges. Eventually charges were dropped, after the youth spent his birthday night in the jail.
"I thought I was doing the right thing and had it thrown back in my face. It was a shocking experience."
Leicester's father, Vinnie Leicester, 37, of Seaforth, Merseyside, is angry over the arrest and detention of his son. "It should never have happened. Paul's mum and I brought him up the right way. They should give him an apology."
Police are continuing to review the case. Chief Superintendent Ian Pilling issued no apology, and would only say: "We are reviewing the circumstances of the arrest."
Some reader comments:
- Just one more reason to never, EVER cooperate with the cops.NEVER
- It just goes to show you can't be too careful
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