The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has withdrawn its case against a Christian man charged under public order legislation in relation to ‘offence’ caused to homosexuals.
Paul Shaw was charged by Essex Police with a “hate crime” after an election leaflet was distributed in Colchester that called for a review of whether homosexual acts should remain legal.
Two homosexual residents of south-east Colchester complained to police after having found the leaflet on their doorstep.
An extensive investigation followed during which Mr Shaw was arrested, locked in a cell and interrogated, in what he has described as a “hostile and provoking” interview. His flat was also searched and his diaries confiscated. He was subsequently charged with “causing religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress by words or writing” under Section 31 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
After considering the case, the CPS decided that that there was insufficient evidence to proceed.
Mr Shaw wrote in the leaflet that he believed that “homosexual and lesbian acts are immoral and that the law should reflect that; by making them unlawful as they once were; and so acting as a deterrent to such behaviour. The concept of homophobia is nonsense and a play on words; it is not and has never been a phobia! A phobia is an un-natural fear; whereas a rejection of perverse behaviour; is a righteous godly fear; that fears to do wrong because it knows that there are consequences and punishment otherwise! This is the most pronounced example of a nation that has lost its way.”
No action has been taken against the two individuals whose complaint led to the charge.