A man has been slapped with a police caution after making threats towards a journalist.
The 57-year-old man, from Chippenham, repeatedly threatened to kill Wiltshire 999s’ founder Daniel Jae Webb whilst covering a news story in the town earlier this month (June).
The incident happened outside a busy shop in the middle of the afternoon on a bright and sunny day. There were a number of people, including young children, in the immediate vicinity.
Events were reported to Wiltshire Police shortly afterwards, and the suspect was bought in for questioning – where he fully admitted his crime.
As a result, the investigating officer decided – that because of the man’s dissimilar previous convictions and full admissions – a police caution would be appropriate in this case.
A caution is not a criminal conviction but it does evidence an admission of guilt and appear on all Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for six years. It also means that if the offender commits a similar crime in their lifetime, they will be put before a court for prosecution.
“I appreciate that some people dislike journalists, but they must accept that we have an important job to do”, Daniel Jae Webb wrote in a statement on Facebook.
He continued: “Threatening to kill somebody in the street for simply doing their job is wholely unacceptable – whatever your opinion of them.
“The entire incident was captured on my body-worn camera and provided clear and indisputable evidence. The man had no real choice but to admit the offence.
“I thank Wiltshire Police for their swift intervention and questioning of the man and for securing a caution. I hope this serves as a warning to anybody who thinks about abusing journalists – or any other professionals – while they are carrying out work in the community.”
READ MORE: Judge threatens to send man who harassed Daniel Jae Webb to prison over ‘lack of remorse’
