In January 2010, Paul Chambers sent a tweet about predicted weather problems in Doncaster, which led to Robin Hood Airport being closed. Chambers was due to fly from Robin Hood Airport to Belfast to meet his girlfriend.
Chambers and his girlfriend exchanged dialogue on Twitter which ended with Chambers tweeting:
"Crap! Robin Hood Airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together otherwise I am blowing the airport sky high!"
Five days later a security manager for Robin Hood airport found the tweet while browsing the site at home.
South Yorkshire police arrested Chambers while he was at work on January 13 on suspicion of involvement in a bomb hoax.
Chamber repeatedly asserted that the tweet was a joke and was not meant to be menacing.
In November 2010 an appeal was thrown out by Crown Court Judge Jacqueline Davies who claimed the Chamber’s tweets were "clearly menacing."
An appeal was then made to the High court while gaining massive support on Twitter and from high profile celebrities.
Lord Chief Justice Lord Judge wrote:
"There was no evidence before the Crown Court to suggest that any of the followers of the appellant’s ‘tweet’, or indeed anyone else who may have seen the ‘tweet’ posted on the appellant’s time line, found it to be of a menacing character or, at a time when the threat of terrorism is real, even minimally alarming."
In reaction to his win Chambers tweeted, "So… it’s been an alright day so far. In the scheme of things. I suppose."
High profile supporters also took to Twitter to discuss the win of Paul Chambers.
Louise Mensch MP tweeted, "CPS owe my constituent @pauljchambers and the country a huge apology for a shameful prosecution that should never have been brought."
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