Former councillor could face prosecution over Facebook party (From Echo)
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Former councillor could face prosecution over Facebook party
12:10pm Friday 14th December 2012 in Local News By Jon Austin
Former councillor could face prosecution over Facebook party
A FORMER councillor who allowed hundreds of youths into her home after her 14-year-old daughter’s party was advertised on Facebook could face prosecution for breaching the peace.
Esther Hine’s plight is making national headlines today after the Echo yesterday exclusively revealed how up to 800 people armed with cheap booze turned up and trashed her house in Pauline Gardens, Billericay, on Friday, December 7.
The bash was supposed to be for 30 close friends of her daughter Sarah Hine, 14, from the Anglo European School in Ingatestone.
The school has also confirmed it warned the Hines of the dangers of the bash being advertised online. Strangers from as far away as Hackney and Colchester turned up before graffiti was daubed on walls, furniture smashed and a piano thrown in the front garden.
Essex Police confirmed it was currently considering if it is in the public interest to prosecute for a breach of the peace and allowing underage drinking in her home.
An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “Police are working with the family and considering whether any offences have been committed and whether it is in the public interest to prosecute those responsible. Local officers are also in contact with residents of the street to establish a full picture of the events which took place.”
A spokesman for the Anglo European said: “We were saddened to hear about the damage caused to one of our pupil’s homes this weekend following a party which got out of control. We were aware that the party was being advertised on Facebook and advised the mother and daughter of the risks this posed.
We regularly speak with our students about the dangers of social media and while young people from across Essex attended the event we hope our students will learn lessons from this incident.
The school is supporting the family going forward and while we are not aware of a project to help clean up the home we understand how friends of the family may wish to show their support in this way.”
Mrs Hine has yet to decide if she also wishes to press charges in relation to the damage caused to her home.
Comments(6)
I-say-you-say
says...
1:28pm Fri 14 Dec 12
They probably won't but I think the police should prosecute otherwise it sets the presidence that this is acceptable!
Nebs
says...
2:15pm Fri 14 Dec 12
emcee
says...
1:07am Sat 15 Dec 12
http://www.drinkawar
e.co.uk/children-and
-alcohol/parents/the
-law
Brunning999
says...
12:39pm Sat 15 Dec 12
She won't do that again!!!!
I-say-you-say
says...
12:35pm Mon 17 Dec 12
Brunning999 wrote:The point is that she shouldn't have done it in the first place.
What is the point of that ? She won't do that again!!!!
The previous events that turned out the same as this one would have warned them of the dangers, the school warned them of the situation and thanks to their behaviour, it caused untold grief to the neighbours and waste of police time.
Let them get away with it, you let the next silly school child who publicly posts a party on facebook get a way with it and next time it could end up a lot worse.
Ironman says...
12:56pm Fri 14 Dec 12