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ntl article
 

offline i_x_ten from arsemuncher on 2005-06-09 07:58 [#01627502]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular



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."



 

offline redrum from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:06 [#01627523]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict



vgg

pOgO's not doing her job eh :/


 

offline xceque on 2005-06-09 08:07 [#01627525]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



yeah, less time at xlt, more answering of phones!


 

offline xceque on 2005-06-09 08:08 [#01627526]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Show recordbag



also... By chance, Mr Gibbins discovered he could alter
NTL's recorded message

Just how likely is this?


 

offline redrum from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:09 [#01627528]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict | Followup to xceque: #01627526



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.


 

offline Raz0rBlade_uk on 2005-06-09 08:11 [#01627529]
Points: 12540 Status: Addict | Show recordbag



he suddenly discovers by the off chance that he can change
it?


 

offline isnieZot from pooptown (Belgium) on 2005-06-09 08:14 [#01627533]
Points: 4949 Status: Lurker | Followup to xceque: #01627526



|-|@X0R


 

offline i_x_ten from arsemuncher on 2005-06-09 08:15 [#01627534]
Points: 10031 Status: Regular



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.


 

offline redrum from the allman brothers band (Ireland) on 2005-06-09 08:16 [#01627535]
Points: 12878 Status: Addict



good stuff mr. gibbons.


 

offline elusive from detroit (United States) on 2005-06-09 08:20 [#01627544]
Points: 18368 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



Heh


 

offline Bob Mcbob on 2005-06-09 08:22 [#01627548]
Points: 9939 Status: Regular



how much more offensive would that message have to be before
it becomes 'grossly offensive'?


 

offline xceque on 2005-06-09 08:24 [#01627549]
Points: 5888 Status: Moderator | Followup to Bob Mcbob: #01627548 | Show recordbag



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.


 

offline elusive from detroit (United States) on 2005-06-09 08:50 [#01627591]
Points: 18368 Status: Lurker | Show recordbag



this is weird


 


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