UK student avoids prison after urinating on war memorial

A student in the UK has avoided a prison term after causing nationwide outrage after he was pictured urinating on a war memorial in Sheffield city centre.

As previously reported on Digital Journal, 19-year old Philip Laing was pictured urinating on a poppy wreath at a war memorial following a night of excessive drinking in Sheffield city centre on the night of 11 October. Laing, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, had previously admitted committing the offence at a court appearance earlier this month at Sheffield Magistrates' Court. District Judge Anthony Browne said that he had considered sending Laing to prison for this offence but instead ordered him to do 250 hours of community service. Browne said that he had never seen anyone more contrite before him in the court. He also ordered Laing to pay £185 in prosecution costs. On the evening in question, Laing had started the night by sharing a bottle of whisky with his friend. He then went on to consume excessive amounts of alcohol at an event organised by student party group Carnage. Laing had told probation officers that all drinks were £1 each on the bar crawl organised by Carnage, Mr Browne told the court. He also understood that Laing was so drunk he couldn't remember anything else about the evening. Addressing Laing, Mr Browne said, "No one forced you to take all this drink, or forced it down you, or persuaded you to commit a criminal offence. You did that all by yourself and you must take responsibility." He also said that the offence had occurred through a culture of drinking too much. Continuing, Mr Browne added, "In my view something does need to be done to change this culture. What you have done has outraged and offended many and has saddened most." Appearing in court in a smart grey suit with pink shirt and military style blue and red tie, Laing sat with his head bowed for the majority of the hearing. His parents were present in court and sat near him, behind his solicitor. Philip Laing has faced fierce criticism since these pictures were aired. He was allowed to enter and leave the court via a neighbouring police station therefore avoiding the public entrance. However, his parents did leave through the public entrance and his mother stopped to say, "He's sorry. He's very, very sorry," before leaving. Speaking on behalf of Sheffield Hallam University a spokeswoman said, "a disciplinary hearing would be held now the court case had concluded."