Bishop arrested for child chimney pot stunt

[real6]

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51B3ZN20090212?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

LONDON (Reuters) - A British bishop was arrested on suspicion of child cruelty after he helped his two young sons to perch on top of the chimney of their house to read a book as part of a school project.

Bishop Jonathan Blake, of the Open Episcopal Church, took pictures of his sons Nathan, eight, and Dominic, seven, while they sat on top of their two-storey home.

The children were calmly holding a book called "The Killer Underpants" for a school competition to find the most unusual place where a pupil had read a book.

After a neighbor alerted the police, the clergyman said he was arrested, driven away in a cage in the back of a van and kept overnight in a cell.

"I was taken out in handcuffs in front of the whole neighborhood while my children were in tears," the 52-year-old told Reuters on Thursday. "I was kept in the cells without any information about what was taking place from 7 p.m. until 10 a.m. the following morning.

"I am appalled and incredulous. I would never have imagined in a thousand years that this could have happened." The children were wearing safety harnesses and got on to the chimney via a flat roof at the back of the house in Welling, southeast London, he added.

Blake said he would make an official complaint and has already contacted London police chief Paul Stephenson and Mayor of London Boris Johnson.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "A member of the public reported that two small children had been left unattended on the roof of a house. A 52-year-old man was arrested in connection with the allegation and has since been released without charge."

[themime]

http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE51B3ZN20090212?feedType=RSS&feedName=oddlyEnoughNews

"I was taken out in handcuffs in front of the whole neighborhood while my children were in tears," the 52-year-old told Reuters on Thursday. "I was kept in the cells without any information about what was taking place from 7 p.m. until 10 a.m. the following morning."



Serves him right.

Stupidity is still stupidity even when it wears a dog collar.

[mephibosheth]

While this is another instance of policing gone mad, I think its a much more distressing commentary on the person(s) who phoned it in. I mean, what, people are so conditioned that their FIRST instinct is to call the cops? Why not go and find out what's going on? Maybe, I dunno, talk to the kids on the roof, see if they're ok? The arrest part is worse though. What BS.

8)

[mikethepunk]

While this is another instance of policing gone mad, I think its a much more distressing commentary on the person(s) who phoned it in. I mean, what, people are so conditioned that their FIRST instinct is to call the cops? Why not go and find out what's going on? Maybe, I dunno, talk to the kids on the roof, see if they're ok? The arrest part is worse though. What BS.

8)

That is a good point. People that just call the cops on the drop of a hat are cowards. Straight up cowards. Too lazy, stupid and apathetic to do something about it themselves.

I only call the cops at last resort or if someone asks me too.

[beldazar]

While this is another instance of policing gone mad, I think its a much more distressing commentary on the person(s) who phoned it in. I mean, what, people are so conditioned that their FIRST instinct is to call the cops? Why not go and find out what's going on? Maybe, I dunno, talk to the kids on the roof, see if they're ok? The arrest part is worse though. What BS.

8)


Yes I agree with you. The man responsible did say they were wearing a safety harness and we havent seen the house set-up either.
The children are 7 and 8 and I expect were quite excited, Im sure if they were scared they wouldnt have got up!

Too many people are quick to stick their noses in without just 'asking' or popping round to see for themselves.

This society really pisses me off, I dont imagine for one second the person who phones is particularly concerned or wouldnt they have checked out the situation first?

Why has this society turned into viscious backstabbers sticking their oar in and going behind peoples backs instead of a bit of friendly neighbourhood community spirit where people arent afraid to TALK to others. :mad: