War memorial shame student charged

A student was arrested and charged with outraging public decency after a photograph of a man urinating over a war memorial was published in a newspaper.

South Yorkshire Police said the 19-year-old man was released on bail.

Philip Laing will appear at Sheffield Magistrates Court on 22 October.

Police began investigating the incident after the photo appeared on the Daily Mail website.

Laing, a sports technology student at Sheffield Hallam University, issued an apology for the image which apparently showed him soaking wreaths of poppies following a drinking session.

He was one of around 2,000 university students taking part in the Carnage UK event on Sunday evening. Organised through a website by a private company, students paid £10 each to take part in the drinking session.

The event took place in Sheffield, but a similar one was held in Cardiff.

In an apology issued through his university, Laing said: "I am deeply ashamed of this photograph and I am sincerely sorry for my behaviour.

"I didn't realise how much alcohol I had consumed that night and also hadn't eaten since lunchtime, which worsened the effect.

"I have no recollection of the events in the photograph, although I recognise that this does not excuse my actions.

"I apologise unreservedly for any offence I may have caused."

Superintendent Peter Norman, from South Yorkshire Police, said: "The behaviour portrayed in this photograph is disgraceful and will not be tolerated.

"As soon as it was brought to police attention, officers began the process of tracing him so that he can be put before the Magistrates' Court.

"South Yorkshire Police work closely with the organisers of this and other events to ensure students who are new to Sheffield fully understand that drunken and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

"Similar student events are a regular occurrence in Sheffield and are usually very well-run and well-organised by the Students' Union and the event organisers. Incidents of this nature are a very rare occurrence.

"Unfortunately, on this occasion, one individual has brought shame upon himself and damaged the reputation of the event and the organisers.

"Alcohol when taken in large quantities can temporarily and substantially alter the behaviour of some young people."