Teen arrested for malicious tweets about British Olympic diver Tom Daley and his late father

Britain's Thomas Daley competes in the men's synchronized 10m platform final diving event at the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Olympic Park in London on July 30, 2012. / CHRISTOPHE SIMON/AFP/GettyImages

(AP) LONDON - A teenager has been arrested on suspicion of posting malicious Twitter messages directed at British Olympic diver Tom Daley, U.K. police said Tuesday.

The first tweet told Daley that he let his dad down with his synchronized diving performance. Later, the tweeter threatens to drown Daley.

Daley's father died of brain cancer a year ago and the 18-year-old Olympian had hoped to win a medal "for myself and my dad." But he finished fourth on Monday, out of medal contention, in the 10-meter synchronized platform competition with teammate Pete Waterfield.

China wins 2nd diving gold; U.S. takes bronze

Daley tweeted a message complaining about some of the tweets sent to him by "idiots." He said the nasty tweet about his father came after he had been "giving it my all" in the bid for a medal.

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London Olympics: July 30, 2012

Dorset Police said early Tuesday that a 17-year-old was arrested "on suspicion of malicious communications" in relation to his Twitter posts.

One of the first tweets read: "You let your dad down i hope you know that."

Another tweet, from the same Twitter handle, is apologetic.

"I'm sorry mate i just wanted you to win cause its the olympics I'm just annoyed we didn't win I'm sorry tom accept my apology."

Later, the tweets become more aggressive, such as one that said: "I'm going to find you and I'm going to drown you in the pool ..."

Subsequent tweets, spiked with profanity, also take aim at the media and other Twitter users who criticized his posts.

Police said the teen was detained at a bed and breakfast in the southwestern coastal town of Weymouth in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and is currently helping police with their inquiries.

In Britain, tweeting messages considered menacing, offensive or indecent can lead to prosecution.

[r3mote]

its not only 17 year olds or teenagers... I've experienced people in their mid 30s behave like this. it's utterly pathetic, disgraceful, and doesn't affect just one age group.

[nomorelibs]

Some of you are amazing. Whom should we let decide what is acceptable and what isn't? Everyone has their own idea of what is acceptable. Now you want government to step in and decide for all of us. Sounds a lot like the Nazis. Call it what you want, hatred or constructive criticism, but there will always be people that are more extreme than others. Letting the government decide will be detrimental to us all.

[Transatlantique]

"In Britain, tweeting messages considered menacing, offensive or indecent can lead to prosecution."

As it should be everywhere. I don't "tweet," use facebook, or text message. Anyone who doesn't have more constructive things to do with his or her time is wasting time strutting his or her ego via the internet. These outlets are in fact magnets for the ego driven sociopaths of our culture, and it is causing more and more trouble.

[alpinequeen]

These young whipper snappers need to learn some manners and stop being rude.

[jwilsonte5]

WHAT A CRY BABY !!!OMG

[jwilsonte5]

It should be Ok to tweet what we want ,just because it offends you to DAM bad!!! this is crazy he said his dad was ashamed of him so what if hes dead get over it .. its called freedom of speech not just freedom to say nice things I mean what would reps. say they have nothing nice to say ever!!

[hypnotoad72]

When 'freedom of speech' was conceived, it was made in the regards to being able to constructively criticize without fear of penalty or imprisonment. It was not devised to allow hate threats. There is a contextual difference.

Then again, our forefathers had slaves and justified it as "3/5ths of a man" as well, so who knows - maybe you're the one who's right.

[Verascity]

Your spelling, grammar and punctuation highlight your lack of logic. There is no freedom to threaten but you're free to whine, so go ahead. Have someone proofread.

[addict42]

Lloydbest 1 you're argument is totally irrational as you say it's freedom of speech to tweet a death threat, but then why did the Maryland man who tweeted about "wanting" to go to his former employer's office and blow everyone away just get arrested? In light of Aurora, CO, we shouldn't just ignore death threats whether shooting or drowning people as it can be carried out.

[lloydbest1]

Oh....Boy...Did you ever miss the intent of my previous post! Or maybe I am not understanding your objections.

If I understand you correctly I am in complete agreement with what you are trying to say. It is EXACTLY to avoid incidents like the Aurora Colorado shooting or the Maryland man's murderous intentions that I went off like I did. I think threatening speech and writing SHOULD be legally actionable. It is little, if any, different from shouting "fire" in a crowded theater.

Read my post again and see if my message isn't one of restricting such verbal and typed onslaughts rather than allowing them.

[ReckonedTruth]

In Britain, tweeting messages considered menacing, offensive or indecent can lead to prosecution..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well, I can understand why Britian takes a serious concern with regard to twitting hatred comments based upon entities of faith, sub-culture dislikes, etc.,-- demontrated as such..bcause of the level covert potential terrorist who relocate to the British Isles to mobilize/reqroup is astounding in numbers...and so as a concern for Scotland Yard.. there are authority video cameras literally everywhere in London.big brother is watching everyone all over London literally..I was astounded how many video cameras when i visited are pitched beyond the numerous amount of cameras we have in a major U.S. city..is nothing compared to Britian's big brother cameras..

Yep there is a concern..

[netjunkie1]

In a democratic society years ago, threats were cheap and actions were considered criminal.
Today with democracy under attack by fascists claiming everyone else is comunist, just a comment is enough to make you disappear.

[netjunkie1]

BTW, that's why I don't tweet, facebook or any other site that is so obviously a tool for fascists that I can avoid.

[smagboy1]

AmazingGrce, I think that you're confusing saying things the LGBT community "doesn't like" with actually taking action against that community. Liberals are all for exchange of ideas and free speech. Note that the ACLU, among other "liberal" groups, came to Chick-Fil-A's defense regarding anyone threatening to limit their expansion into new cities due to their political views.

However, ACTIONS, actively discriminating, trying to write laws and/or supporting legislation that literally discriminates against ANY group, that codifies discrimination is, in fact, a liberal pet peeve. You know, allowing the LGBT society marital freedom doesn't take any rights from hetero Christians. It doesn't limit your rights at all. As a matter of fact, it doesn't affect your freedoms in ANY way. But, the same is not true of laws that limit LGBT rights and priveleges. When you support laws that disriminate, you are actively discriminating against citizens of our country. That's the difference.

Speak and have views all you want, but, when you start taking action to actively discriminate, yes, you will most assuredly get liberals bent out of shape. And thank goodness!

[netjunkie1]

Go to IN & OUT Burgers, and order a soda.
Look on the bottom and you'll find a bible quote.