Legal experts warn of dangers of social media sites following Blackshaw case (From Northwich Guardian)

Legal experts warn of dangers of social media sites following Blackshaw case

6:10pm Thursday 9th February 2012 in News

LEGAL experts have issued a warning about the dangers of using Facebook and Twitter.

Incidents of social networking websites being used in a potentially criminal manner are on the increase, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Paul Whittaker, chief crown prosecutor of CPS Mersey-Cheshire, said: “We are seeing more and more instances of people using social media in a way which has the potential to undermine prosecutions or even put them at risk of prosecution.

“What many people may not realise is that posting information on social media means that the information is effectively in the public domain and can be viewed by anyone.

“This can expose the user to arrest and prosecution if their activity breaks the law.”

The warning comes after the case of Marston man Jordan Blackshaw, who set up a Facebook group entitled “Smash Down Northwich Town”, which encouraged people to meet behind McDonalds in Northwich town centre.

The defendant, who was 21 at the time and formerly of Vale Road, was jailed for four years by Recorder of Chester Elgan Edwards, who said he hoped the sentence would act as a deterrent.

Blackshaw then had his appeal against his conviction for inciting riots turned down in October.

Mr Whittaker said the penalties should ‘highlight the dangers’ of using Facebook.

“The cases of Blackshaw and Sutcliffe-Keenan highlight the potential dangers of misuse of social media,” he added.

“Both of these young men ultimately paid with their liberty.

“Illegal on-line activity does not have to relate to riots – it can be any encouragement to carry out any criminal act.”

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