Modern English criminal law has a considerable number of statutory "Communications" offences.
- Malicious Communications Act 1988 section 1 - Offence of sending letters etc. with intent to cause distress or anxiety.
- Communications Act 2003 section 127 - Improper use of public electronic communications network.
- Online Safety Act 2023 Part 10 - this contains several offences relating to communications.
Earlier this week
it was reported in the media that four men were arrested at Windsor following the projection on to the castle walls of an image of US President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. Media reports stated that the arrests were on suspicion of 'malicious communication'.Today (Thursday 18 September), it is reported that a 60-year-old from East Sussex, a 37-year-old from Kent, a 36-year-old from London, and a 50-year-old also from London were detained on Tuesday night (16 September) but the men are now released on bail until 12 December whilst the Police investigate "possible offences including malicious communications and public nuisance".
"Public nuisance" was an offence at common law but is now replaced by section 78 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 which came into force on 28 June 2022. Section 78 is headed - "Intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance". Section 78 was deployed in the "Just Stop Oil" case at Queen Elizabeth II bridge - previous post.
The Crown Prosecution Service refers to Communications Offences - see their guidelines.
UK government - Guidance on Pre-charge bail
Addition 23 October 2025
BBC News - No charges over Trump-Epstein projection on to Windsor Castle
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