Worthing Man Jailed for Threatening Brighton Protest Online
A Worthing man has been slammed with 14 weeks behind bars after being found guilty of sending malicious messages linked to a planned Brighton event. This case shines a spotlight on police cracking down hard on online threats tied to protests in Sussex.
Sussex Police Snare Threatening Social Media Post
Sussex Police monitored huge swathes of online chatter ahead of the planned event on August 7. Their vigilance uncovered a disturbing social media post on August 6 referencing violent disorder tied to the protest. This discovery triggered an immediate investigation.
Two Arrested – One Sentenced, One Released
- Two Worthing men, aged 42 and 45, were swiftly arrested.
- Joseph Clark, 45, of Hayling Rise, faced charges for sending offensive messages via public networks.
- Clark appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on August 9, pleaded guilty, and was jailed for 14 weeks.
- He was also slapped with £85 costs and a £154 victim surcharge.
- The other man, 42, was released without further action.
Police Warn: Online Abuse Has Real Consequences
“This custodial sentence should send a clear message to anyone involved in disorder – either online or on the streets – that they will swiftly face the full force of the law,” said Assistant Chief Constable Paul Court.
“Recent unrest across the country has been fuelled by threatening, abusive online messages. Those messages have real-world consequences, and those who send them cannot hide behind their keyboards.”
Sussex Police vow to maintain a visible presence and work closely with communities to prevent disorder during upcoming planned events. Residents urged to report suspicious activity online or via 101 quoting Operation Skylark.
