this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2024
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The woman accused of being first to spread the fake rumours about the Southport killer which sparked nationwide riots has been arrested.

Racist riots spread across the country after misinformation spread on social media claiming the fatal stabbing was carried out by Ali Al-Shakati, believed to be a fictitious name, a Muslim aslyum seeker who was on an MI6 watchlist.

A 55-year-old woman from Chester has now been arrested on suspicion of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred, and false communication. She remains in police custody.

While she has not been named in the police statement about the arrest, it is believed to be Bonnie Spofforth, a mother-of-three and the managing director of a clothing company.

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[–] [email protected] 176 points 2 months ago (5 children)

While she has not been named in the police statement about the arrest, it is believed to be Bonnie Spofforth

This, I don't like. If you - the newspaper, the means of information - are not sure about a name you should really refrain from using it.

It would be not the first time people get their lives ruined by some careless journalist because of a namesake or just an error.

It's not that different from "spreading rumors".

That aside, in this case, it is probably a rumor from an inside source. Still. Not a fan.

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago

Ironically, the reason for all this in the first place.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (5 children)

I've also said this before and I'll say it again: names of suspects and even convicted criminals should not be shared unless necessary*. That just makes no sense for rehabilitation as it opens people up for judgement in a court of opinion. Justice is the job of the justice systems and should not generally involve the wider public.

Could there be issues with the judgement or other events where the only way to achieve justice is via the press? Sure, probably, but I don't think the default should be that if I google the name of someone I can find if they or someone with a similar name (and god forbid, appearance) were involved in a crime.

*: unless necessary here can cover cases like trying to find an individual on the run, or when their previous crime is meant to exclude them from specific lines of work, although even that should be on a need-to-know basis imo, not public info.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (4 children)

They literally did the same thing she got arrested for.

[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 months ago (3 children)

They know it's her, they're just shielding themselves from libel claims. The same way they'll say "allegedly" until a conviction.

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[–] [email protected] 25 points 2 months ago

That's not true at all.

She literally made shit up out of nowhere with no evidence.

The website is posting actual credible information based on available evidence I.e. journalism.

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[–] [email protected] 124 points 2 months ago (4 children)

You know what I don’t give a flying fuck about? Her being a mother of three. Why is this sympathy baiting bullshit in an article about a woman who helped incite violent racist riots all over the country?

Maybe she should have thought about her kids before being a conservative.

[–] [email protected] 58 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Being a mother of three plays against her in my mind.

She didn't do this for her children but her own selfish reasons. Her children will suffer from her actions and therefore she is an irresponsible parent that does not consider the well being of her children.

[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago

She’s trying to ensure that her kids grow up in a more hateful and racist country, this is the legacy she’s trying to leave her children.

[–] [email protected] 28 points 2 months ago (1 children)

For me, the being a mother of three and that being mentioned just has descriptive value. It doesn't affect my judgement of her. It just helps me place who did this in the context of society and this anecdote, for whatever that matters - haters/bigots come in all shapes and sizes of course

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

It's also just commonly done in UK newspapers. Age and familial status is always given. Terry Pratchett made a joke about it in one of his books, though I can't remember the quote.

Edit: found one (not exactly the gag I wanted but CBA to look further)

'Exc--' he began. But the citizen's eyes had already detected the notebook. 'I saw it all,' he said. 'Did you?' 'It was a ter-ri-ble scene,' said the man, at dictation speed. 'But the watch-man made a deathdefying plunge to res-cue the old lady and he de-serves a med-al.' 'Really?' said William, scribbling fast. 'And you are--' 'Sa-muel Arblaster (43), stonemason, of The Scours,' said the man. 'I saw it too,' said a woman next to him, urgently. 'Mrs Florrie Perry, blonde mother of three, from Dolly Sisters. It was a scene of car-nage.'

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[–] [email protected] 93 points 2 months ago (59 children)

Oh man, we need some of that shit in the US. Arrest these right wing media nut jobs and their Jewish laser bullshit.

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[–] [email protected] 75 points 2 months ago (7 children)

Wow. That would be a first that spreading misinformation actually has legal consequences.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 2 months ago (1 children)
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[–] [email protected] 35 points 2 months ago (3 children)
[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Eh, the fact they're still at it means it was just the cost of doing business.

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[–] [email protected] 42 points 2 months ago (2 children)

While she has not been named in the police statement about the arrest, it is believed to be Bonnie Spofforth, a mother-of-three and the managing director of a clothing company.

They really shouldn't be naming people like that without being sure of it. "Believing" isn't knowing and if it's not her, then she could be in for a lot harassment online and offline.

[–] [email protected] 21 points 2 months ago

The irony of naming someone as the "woman shares name of man she believes was the one arrested for crime before the police released the name" before the police release the name is incredibly ridiculous.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It's "Metro" it's a free newspaper that's available on every bus in the UK owned by the same people as the infamous paper: the Daily Mail. It has the same low-quality journalism but with the opposite spin (centre-left).

I wouldn't trust those two papers to wipe my arse clean because there'd be more shit smeared onto my cheeks!

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[–] [email protected] 40 points 2 months ago

Good, fuck Nazis.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Surprisingly balanced and civil discussions in these comments. Super proud to be here 💪 this would not happen elsewhere

[–] [email protected] 20 points 2 months ago (4 children)

She's a millionaire, so not a lot of support for her.

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I would like to suggest that Rwanda would be an appropriate place to serve her sentence.

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[–] [email protected] 9 points 2 months ago

I hope all people suffereing from the rampage by this mob will sue this woman for damages.

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