Close X
Friday, November 29, 2024
ADVT 
National

Newfoundland Judge Rules Sexist Slur Against Reporter Was Not A Public Disturbance

The Canadian Press, 20 Feb, 2018 12:10 PM
  • Newfoundland Judge Rules Sexist Slur Against Reporter Was Not A Public Disturbance
ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A judge has ruled a notorious sexist slur aimed at a reporter in St. John's, N.L., was vulgar and offensive but wasn't a crime under the circumstances.
 
Provincial court Judge Colin Flynn dismissed the single charge against 28-year-old Justin Penton of causing a public disturbance.
 
Penton acknowledged he yelled a phrase commonly abbreviated to FHITP at NTV reporter Heather Gillis last April as she taped an interview outside the St. John's dump.
 
But Flynn ruled the incident — part of a phenomenon that has plagued journalists in the United States and Canada since 2015 — did not meet legal precedents for interfering with the public peace.
 
He says something more than emotional upset and a briefly interrupted conversation would be required to constitute a criminal offence.
 
Gillis says she understands the judge has to work within the law but is disappointed in the ruling.

MORE National ARTICLES

One Man Dead After Multiple Pileups On Montreal Area Highways

One Man Dead After Multiple Pileups On Montreal Area Highways
MONTREAL — A man in his 70s died and at least 15 people suffered minor injuries Wednesday in one of several pileups on Montreal area highways in the midst of a winter storm.

One Man Dead After Multiple Pileups On Montreal Area Highways

Man, 29, Dies In Montreal Hospital After Shooting

Man, 29, Dies In Montreal Hospital After Shooting
Police say the shooting occurred just after midnight during an argument involving a few people on Chambly St., north of the downtown core.

Man, 29, Dies In Montreal Hospital After Shooting

Justin Trudeau Looks To Lure Tech Talent, Capital North In San Francisco Visit

Justin Trudeau Looks To Lure Tech Talent, Capital North In San Francisco Visit
The employee roll at Ben Zifkin's Toronto-based startup is set to double over the coming year to handle the increase in users of his free service, a business-based social network known as Hubba.

Justin Trudeau Looks To Lure Tech Talent, Capital North In San Francisco Visit

Medicine Hat Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening Prime Minister Trudeau

Medicine Hat Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening Prime Minister Trudeau
William Benham, 52, was in Medicine Hat provincial court today and entered a guilty plea to charges of uttering threats and threats to cause damage to property.

Medicine Hat Man Pleads Guilty To Threatening Prime Minister Trudeau

Operators Of Threatened Independent Vancouver Cinema Launch Its Second Act

Operators Of Threatened Independent Vancouver Cinema Launch Its Second Act
The operators of one of the last independent movie theatres in Vancouver say their multimillion-dollar offer to buy the aging cinema has been accepted and now they have 60 days to finalize the deal.

Operators Of Threatened Independent Vancouver Cinema Launch Its Second Act

Lululemon Sues For Copyright Infringement By Group Of Counterfeiters

VANCOUVER — Lululemon Athletic Canada Inc. has filed a lawsuit in the United States alleging a connected group of unidentified defendants created hundreds of online stores selling counterfeit Lululemon goods.

Lululemon Sues For Copyright Infringement By Group Of Counterfeiters