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i_x_ten
from arsemuncher on 2005-06-09 07:58 [#01627502]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular
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from the pages of the guardian
"Message that was less than grossly offensive
Gerard Seenan Thursday June 9, 2005 The Guardian
When taxi driver Ashley Gibbins called the helpline of NTL hoping to have broadband installed, he was told, that all its operators were busy right now, but if he cared to hold the line his call would be dealt with as soon as possible.
So Mr Gibbins held. And held. Then held some more. Eventually, after an hour, Mr Gibbins decided he had had enough. He put the phone down and decided to wreak revenge.
By chance, Mr Gibbins discovered he could alter NTL's recorded message, and after he'd tinkered with it people seeking help were met with something altogether more blunt.
"Hello, you are through to NTL customer services," they were told. "We don't give a fuck about you, basically, and we are not going to handle any of your complaints. Just fuck off and leave us alone. Get a life."
NTL did not see the funny side and called in the police. Magistrates in Teesside, however, may have had similar experience on corporate helplines themselves.
Mr Gibbins, 26, from Redcar, Cleveland, was acquitted at Teesside magistrates' court on Tuesday of an offence under the Communications Act 2003 of making a grossly offensive message.
The magistrates decided Mr Cleveland's rant was merely offensive, and did not make the "grossly offensive" standard required for prosecution.
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Crown Prosecution Service said Mr Gibbins admitted he had left the message but denied it was grossly offensive.
"He did accept that he was responsible. The main question was whether the message was deemed to be offensive or grossly offensive.
"The judiciary heard all the issues before them and they decided in this particular instance that it was not grossly offensive," said the spokeswoman.
NTL's media centre put the Guardian on hold, suggested we try another number and then declined to comment."
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redrum
from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:06 [#01627523]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict
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vgg
pOgO's not doing her job eh :/
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xceque
on 2005-06-09 08:07 [#01627525]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag
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yeah, less time at xlt, more answering of phones!
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xceque
on 2005-06-09 08:08 [#01627526]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag
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also... By chance, Mr Gibbins discovered he could alter NTL's recorded message
Just how likely is this?
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redrum
from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:09 [#01627528]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict | Followup to xceque: #01627526
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yeah exactly.. i'd like a url to be honest.
i also don't think it's very likely that old i_x_ten spent his time typing it out from the newspaper.
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Raz0rBlade_uk
on 2005-06-09 08:11 [#01627529]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Show recordbag
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he suddenly discovers by the off chance that he can change it?
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isnieZot
from pooptown (Belgium) on 2005-06-09 08:14 [#01627533]
Points: 4949 Status: Lurker | Followup to xceque: #01627526
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|-|@X0R
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i_x_ten
from arsemuncher on 2005-06-09 08:15 [#01627534]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular
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diy lazy link
http://www.guardian.co.uk/online/news/0,12597,1502428,00.ht ml
LAZY_TITLE
yes the guardian archive all their articles.
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redrum
from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:16 [#01627535]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict
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good stuff mr. gibbons.
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elusive
from detroit (United States) on 2005-06-09 08:20 [#01627544]
Points: 18368 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
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Heh
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Bob Mcbob
on 2005-06-09 08:22 [#01627548]
Points: 9939 Status: Regular
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how much more offensive would that message have to be before it becomes 'grossly offensive'?
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xceque
on 2005-06-09 08:24 [#01627549]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Followup to Bob Mcbob: #01627548 | Show recordbag
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He'd have to have added "if you really want to solve whatever gay n00b problem you have, take your ADSL modem and violently thrust it in and out of your rectum, pulling blood, shit and colon out in the process. Then eat it."
That's pretty gross.
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elusive
from detroit (United States) on 2005-06-09 08:50 [#01627591]
Points: 18368 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag
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this is weird
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