Blogger cops it for online rant

Police don't take kindly to 'menacing' comments

A Welsh blogger has been fined £150 with £364 costs after posting menacing messages online.

Gavin Brent, 24, complained about the police in a blog posting after he was charged with 19 offences of theft and two charges under the Proceeds of Crime Act involving internet purchases.

He wrote about the incident to "blow off steam" but ended with a message for a local policeman whose wife had just had a baby.

Brent ended the posting with the message: "P.S. - D.C. Lloyd, God help your new-born baby."

He was arrested shortly afterwards but claimed that his posting was covered under freedom of speech. However, the court found him guilty and he has since apologised and agreed to pay the fine.

"I am sorry," he said. "But their interpretation is different to what I intended."