Criminal record for `killer clown craze` teenager who laughed at the law
A jobless teenager who terrified children at an infant school has become the first person to be fined over the `killer clown craze` sweeping Britain.
Oct 12, 2016
By Nick Hudson
A jobless teenager who terrified children at an infant school has become the first person to be fined over the `killer clown craze` sweeping Britain.
Conor Jones, 18, was fined £90 for “intimidating behaviour” after dressing in a horror outfit to stare at children from a pedestrian bridge overlooking Hendre Infants School in Caerphilly, south Wales on Friday (October 7).
As forces across Britain reported hundreds of incidents linked to the phenomenon are wasting police resources, senior officers vowed to prosecute all pranksters as numbers of sinister sightings continued to soar.
Meanwhile, Vera Baird, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Northumbria, said officers are now advising retailers to adopt an `adults only` policy for selling clown costumes to “avoid further incidents” and so help slow the spread of the US-inspired craze.
Ms Baird called for “common sense” to return to end the creepy craze as incidents are expected to rocket in the run up to Hallowe`en at the end of the month.
She warned that the craze “could land people in jail” adding: “If they[the clowns] are going to frighten people they can expect to be charged with public order offences.
“If they are going to carry a weapon, even if it is to be silly, they are going to be charged with carrying a bladed instrument, so they are already in the territory where they are looking at prison, if they are not careful so really they should do none of it.”
The PCC hopes this will be a short-lived episode which she believes is linked to the re-issue of the Stephen King movie It, featuring a clown called Penny Wise.
Former labourer Conor Jones was unrepentant after paying the fixed penalty notice. He tweeted: “Just had a £90 fine for my clown antics. Haha”, but Gwent Police Chief Inspector Paul Staniforth pointed out: “Not only is this man out of pocket, he will now have a criminal record which will impact his future, including any job opportunities.
I hope this result sends a strong message to anyone thinking about taking part in this craze, that their five minutes of what they may think is fun really isnt worth it.”
With Kent Police reporting 59 incidents in three days and Thames Valley Police 14 in 24 hours, forces have admitted they expect to see a spike in the coming weeks.
A Metropolitan Police Service spokesperson said: “In the run up to Halloween it is expected that these types of incidents will increase.
Our primary responsibility is identifying and investigating those incidents where a criminal offence has occurred.
“However, anti-social behaviour can leave people feeling scared, anxious and intimidated and I would urge those who are causing fear and alarm to carefully consider the impact their actions have on others.”
Mrs Baird added: I am sure this started as Hallowe`en fun, but when people are hiding in bushes, jumping out on members of the public or running around in open spaces it can be scary. A clown is effectively wearing a mask.
My advice is just dont dress as a clown. The fun has been spoilt now.
You might well be misunderstood and end up in trouble and if you are out to scare you are likely to be committing an offence.
She also condemned the creators of a list of supposed targets for the clowns, which has been circulating social media, causing alarm among many parents.