I know the flagpole in question BTW and anyone who picks that rather than one of the many doorways and alleyways in it's vicinity really has no idea what they're doing......there's usually a couple of police cars or horses within plain sight of it.
Why didn't he walk in?
From the Daily Star
WAR veterans have attacked 'special treatment' given at court to the student who caused national outrage by urinating on Sheffield's city centre war memorial.
Philip Laing, studying sports science at Sheffield Hallam University, was warned by District Judge Anthony Browne he could face jail after pleading guilty to outraging public decency.
The 19-year-old urinated on the war memorial in Barker's Pool after taking part in a student pub crawl around Sheffield city centre on October 11.
But questions have been asked about why police allowed the teenager in and out of the magistrates' court building via adjoining police headquarters on Snig Hill.
Although on unconditional bail Laing, of Rotherhead Drive, Macclesfield, Cheshire, was allowed to enter and leave the courtroom via an entrance normally reserved for people in custody so he did not have to pass though public areas. He was ushered in and out despite there being no protests against him outside court.
Today Philip Spruce, legal manager at Sheffield Magistrates' Court, told The Star he had questioned the arrangements personally.
"Plenty of high profile defendants walk the gauntlet along the bridge to the main entrance," he said.
"We were approached by the police to put those arrangements in place. I queried that on the basis the court should be seen to be independent.
"I asked the police to review it and was informed intelligence was discussed at Superintendent level and their view was there had been threats resulting in a potential risk to public safety.
"I didn't perceive there was anything approaching any risk and will be asking police to review these arrangements for the further hearing in this case on November 26."
Supt Peter Norman, of South Yorkshire Police, defended his decision to allow Laing special treatment.
"We have a duty to protect anyone whose safety is under threat, including the public," he insisted. "We also have a responsibility to minimise the chances of court proceedings being disturbed and any potential public order.
"Following the risk assessment, I felt it was appropriate to put specific measures in place proportionate to the high level of threats received."
But Vince McDonagh, secretary of the city's joint council of veterans, said: "All the ex-service people are really incensed about what he did and I think the police probably feared there might be a protest.
"But I don't think that should merit special treatment."
In court, District Judge Anthony Browne adjourned the case for three weeks pending a pre-sentence report.
He told Laing: "That you deeply regret what you have done, I'm absolutely sure about that. I've no doubt it was the vast quantity of alcohol you consumed that night that led you to behave in this way."
But he added: "The image of you urinating on the war memorial in this city will make most people turn away in disgust, shock and sadness.
"This case will be adjourned for a report to be prepared by the probation service.
"All options, including prison, are being held open by the court."
Mr Browne continued: "Carnage is the name of the organisation who promote this type of activity. Some might say that somebody should be standing alongside you this morning.
I wouldn't see these little rats punished with prison either. As a great believer in both corporal and capital punishment, I would have them birched or maybe strapped by the local desk sergeant. Yes it is harsh, yes some would say it is cruel, but it is not as harsh or as cruel as locking him up and getting him booted out of uni. And he bloody well would learn!
Powers stop being so melodramatic fgs.
You can be such a drama queen.
I once saw some disgusting behaviour. They were very drunk, had no excuse, desecrated military honour, fought, vomited, urinated, and all other types of nasty things.
Were these feal thugs?
Nope they were the people that the memorial is there for. In fact one in the crowd I am talking about now has his name on one of those memorials. So who were these people........squaddies having a night out.
If I was the judge I would give him community service. Half to clean the memorials and the other half to help out at the Chelsea Hospital. The boys and girls in there will tell him he has been a twat............and then more than likely tell him about stuff they got up to that was very similar but they were never caught.
Dave_Notts
We have all done some stupid things whilst at uni.... so kenty to think that yours are somehow full of sweetness and light is probably stretching the mark, If you really think that they spent 4 yrs with there nose in books, then I hate to be the bearer of bad news!
The difference between this and any other university hi-jinxs all across the country just happens to be the presence of that camera. God I got up to allsorts, and all the worst ones were alcohol related.....
whatever happened to the punishment fitting the crime...should this really effect the rest of his life by being kicked out of uni.... not when he could go on to be a productive member of society...
My grandad would have just called him a silly arse.... and got on with it....
The fact of the matter is that in this land of not a lot of hope and no bloody glory whatsoever things like this are almost always swept under the carpet. This idiot was caught with his pants down literaly on camera and thus will be made an example of. I am old fashioned, that I don't deny, it is hardly something to be ashamed of when the world is so full of crap. But I see the fact that he chose that place at that time to empty his bladder, no doubt knowing it was being filmed, and it makes me wonder if there was blatant malice intended. it's like sticking two fingers up at our ancestors and saying, thanks for giving your lives for us, now we are going to turn this island into a sewer and a rubbish dump.
Why should I not be annoyed about that?
Born to late, BG.
and we don't want that.....do we ? 
:rotflmao: :rotflmao:
You know, big swinging bollocks and all that! I wouldn't worry about it though. The threads gonna get locked soon at this rate anyways, and 5 pages of reasoned argument will have been all for nought, as per. ;) 
