UK man appeals Twitter 'joke' conviction

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The Associated Press 5:46 AM Wednesday, February 8, 2012

LONDON — A British man who was convicted and fined for jokingly posting a message on Twitter saying he would blow up an airport is appealing his conviction.

Paul Chambers was fined 385 pounds ($612) and ordered to pay legal costs after he posted a message on his twitter feed saying he would blow up Robin Hood airport in northern England if his flight was delayed.

Chambers argued the tweet sent in January 2010 was obviously a joke aimed at his Twitter followers but the courts decided that the message was menacing and convicted him under legislation that makes it illegal to send menacing or offensive messages electronically.

The case will be heard Wednesday at London's High Court.

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February 08, 2012 10:42 AM EST

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