Philip Laing

Philip Laing, 19, of Macclesfield, Cheshire is a student of Sheffield Hallam University who admitted to ruin the decency of Sheffield war memorial after he was caught in camera urinating over it. He was charged after the Daily Mail website published the photograph. Now he has been ordered to do community service. At the Magistrate’s court he was told to complete 250 hours’ community service.

District Judge Anthony Browne had some other impact about the boy as he decided not to sent him jail. He said,

“I have never seen anyone more contrite for what has happened nor one who regrets more the hurt and distress he has caused. All this is set against a backdrop… of a culture of drinking far too much.”

He added,

“You have understandably had the wrath and indignation of the public heaped upon you and your family.”

On 11 October, Laing shared a bottle of whiskey with his friend then at an event organized by the private company Carnage, UK, he consumed more alcohol. The judge said,

“No-one forced you to take all this drink, or forced it down you, or persuaded you to commit a criminal offence.You did that all by yourself and you must take responsibility.”

Defending his client, Tim Hughes told the court that his client utterly ashamed of what he did. Tim said that his client had never been in any sort of trouble with the police and if he will get imprisonment that certainly destroys his life. He said,

“In terms of remorse – absolutely, it’s from ever pore.”

Laing was ordered to pay £185 costs by the judge, according to judge that Laing had been punished but his university will still decide on his future. Sheffield Hallam University’s spokesman said,

“The university has already initiated disciplinary proceedings against this student.”

He added,

“Now that the judicial process has been completed we will arrange a disciplinary hearing to decide appropriate sanctions.”