Twitter bomb joker is in court

THE TWITTER JOKER that threatened to blow up Robin Hood airport is in court challenging his conviction.

Paul Chambers jokingly threatened to blow up the airport when bad weather threatened his travel plans. Although he made his comment in jest the authorities had a sense of humour failure and threw the book at him, convicting him of "menacing", that is, sending a threatening message.

"Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You've got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I'm blowing the airport sky high!," he said in a message that has been repeated often in an online 'Spartacus' movement.

Chambers was fined £1,000 and lost his job. He immediately set about appealing his conviction.

His solicitor, David Allen Green, is tweeting from the High Court as he oversees the appeal that could overturn this conviction.

"Come, friendly bombs, and fall on Slough!" #TwitterJokeTrial #FreeBetjeman

— David Allen Green (@JackofKent) February 7, 2012

Comedy writer Graham Linehan is also in attendance, as is comedian Al Murray.

I'm actually here and I'm getting a better idea of what's going on through Twitter #twitterjoketrial

— Graham Linehan (@Glinner) February 8, 2012

Things are going well for the Chambers camp, according to other messages coming out of it.

"QC Ben Emerson said anyone taking Paul's tweet seriously would have to be a half wit. We all laughed," said an account called @Crazycolours that is run by Chambers' girlfriend Sarah Tonner. "Airport said wasn't credible threat. Police thought it a joke. CPS said charge him."

Loz Kaye, head of the UK Pirate Party, said that the case highlighted how outdated UK communications laws are, and hoped that it might signal some change.

"I hope the appeal to the High Court will finally see justice for Paul Chambers. It is just sad that this case has had to go so far and last so long," he said.

"Paul Chambers has had his life torn apart for no good reason. It is clearly time that upgrade our communications laws to make them fit for the 21st century."

The appeal hearing is ongoing. µ