Celebs show support for ex-soldier's case
An ex-soldier is "overwhelmed" by the frenzy of public support generated by a Surrey Mirror story.
Last week, we reported how Paul Clarke is facing a minimum of five years imprisonment after finding a discarded shotgun and handing it into police.
-
OVERWHELMED: Mr Clarke said he was grateful for all the public support. Inset, some of the celebrities that have voiced support (from top) David Mitchell, Graham Lineham and Simon Pegg
The 27-year-old from Merstham found the sawn-off shotgun in March this year, handed it in to Reigate police station, where he was arrested immediately.
On November 10, a jury at Guildford Crown Court found him guilty of possessing a firearm – he is now facing a minimum of five years behind bars.
Since the story broke it has caused outrage across the world – and whipped up a frenzy of online debate and support.
Mr Clarke, who spent two years serving in the armoured military in Donchester, said: "It's been mad. I feel like a celebrity. I just want to thank everyone for all their support."
Over the weekend, Mr Clarke's court case was one of the most commented stories on social networking site 'Twitter' – getting more mention than 'Jedward' the controversial X-Factor contestants.
His case caught the attention of several celebrities, including comedians David Mitchell and Simon Pegg, star of 'Shaun of the Dead' and 'How to Lose Friends and Alienate People'.
And, Graham Lineham, creator of the hit TV sit-com Father Ted 'tweeted' in response to other comments on the story.
He wrote: "There'll be enough interest in Paul Clarke now [to] at least shed a little light on [the] situation. Wait for that before pitchforks/petitions".
Bloggers across the world have fiercely debated the 'strict liability' aspect of the law on which Mr Clarke was convicted – where the intention of anybody possessing a firearm is irrelevant.
A facebook group entitled 'Ex-soldier Paul Clarke should not go to jail for handing in a gun', has almost 700 members and his solicitor, Mr Lionel Blackman, has been interviewed on Radio 4 about the case.
Angry readers have also set up online petitions to send to 10 Downing Street, and have been writing to Crispin Blunt MP.
ThisisSurreytoday has also received comments from across the globe.
Mr Clarke said: "The support has just been overwhelming. I've had strangers coming up to me in the street telling me they support me."
But despite the public support, Mr Clarke is convinced he's going to prison.
He said: "The judge has to do his job, and his job is to rule on a conviction.
"I wish I had just thrown the gun in a bush now – however wrong that is. But I wanted to do the right thing."
8 Comments
View all
by c wright, here
Tuesday, November 24 2009, 5:25PM
“This is a shame and disgrace, that a war veteran who merely turned in a gun found buried in his backyard gets a five year prison sentence. Britain is headed back to the stone age.”
by Gary, Woodhatch
Friday, November 20 2009, 2:32PM
“Nice one Poirot!”
by ..., surrey
Friday, November 20 2009, 2:29PM
“very interesting that since this story came out in the news so did the other story about the DVLA incident.
Coincidently, they have the same name of the man in question, and the same age for the time of events happening.
Definitely more to this story. I hope the judge gets ALL the facts to make a fair decision.
We now have 3 out of the 5 most viewed stories dedicated to this. At least it knocked the dead squirrel off.”
by connor frost, tadworth
Friday, November 20 2009, 9:35AM
“mr clarke is the father of my little neice and i know he would not have used that gun because he loves her and wants her to know her dad properly so i'm with paul on this one he is innocent”
by AO, USA
Friday, November 20 2009, 5:36AM
“Well, there you go. This is where insane zero-tolerance laws lead. Or as you call them, Strict Liability laws. No one has to think. No one has to make any real decisions. Just act like a machine with a one-size-fits-all law. An injustice like this is where it ALWAYS leads. Hopefully this case will get your lawmakers to take a second look at such mechanical, inhuman laws. Hopefully before YOU find yourself in such a situation. And trust me, one day you will. The jackboots will come kicking in your door one day.
Enjoy your never ending glancing over your shoulder, wondering when someone will suddenly inform you that you will be going to prison for five, or more years for doing, what would be in a sane world, the right thing.
I trust you will need no further proof the inmates have overrun the asylum.”