Student who urinated on war memorial avoids jail

LONDON (Reuters) - A student who urinated over a war memorial after a night out drinking avoided a jail sentence on Thursday.

Philip Laing, 19, from Macclesfield, Cheshire, was photographed soaking a poppy wreath in Sheffield city centre last month.

The judge, who said he had received "many letters" of complaint from members of the public, had warned Laing he could face a custodial sentence.

Instead he was sentenced to 250 hours community service, the Press Association reported.

"What you have done has outraged and offended many and has saddened most," Judge Anthony Browne said.

"You have understandably had the wrath and indignation of the public heaped upon you and your family.

"I received many letters from members of the public but I am required to decide your sentence on the basis of the facts of the case and principles of law alone."

He said he had never seen anyone more contrite, but added: "Something does need to be done to change this culture," of heavy drinking in Britain.

Laing had pleaded guilty to outraging public decency at a hearing earlier this month at Sheffield magistrates.

(Reporting by Avril Ormsby; Editing by Steve Addison)