Devon police sergeant Geraint Jones found not guilty of a criminal offense after sharing a “grossly offensive” meme, intended as a joke.
A Devon police sergeant, Geraint Jones, has been cleared of breaking the law after sending a “grossly offensive” meme to his colleagues, which depicted a doctored image of George Floyd’s arrest. The meme, shared just days after Floyd’s death in May 2020, caused widespread offense but was defended by Jones as an attempt at humor.
The meme, which replaced the arresting officer Derek Chauvin with a naked man, was shared in a WhatsApp group with eight others, including six fellow police officers. Jones, 47, a custody sergeant in Torquay, explained that he did not intend any racial implications and that the image was simply meant to amuse his colleagues.
In her ruling, District Judge Jo Matson acknowledged the image was “disgusting and grossly offensive” but stated the prosecution failed to prove that Jones did not intend it as a joke. She emphasized that while many would find the image appalling, the necessary mental element for a conviction was not established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jones’ acquittal has sparked surprise within the Devon and Cornwall police force, with some expressing concerns that the UK legal system had failed to appropriately address the issue, contrasting with the verdict in the US, where Derek Chauvin was convicted for Floyd’s murder.
Jones remains suspended from his duties while an internal disciplinary review continues.
