Carla_MrsTerry |
|
| England captain John Terry has had a complaint over press coverage of his mother and mother-in-law being caught shoplifting rejected.
The Sun told how Sue Terry, 50, and Sue Poole, 54, were arrested after removing unpaid goods from branches of Tesco and Marks & Spencer in Brooklands, Weybridge.
The pair were taken into custody, questioned and both handed a caution.
But the Chelsea defender complained to the Press Complaints Commission, saying the stories had almost entirely focused on him - even though he had nothing to do with the incident.
The three articles in question were headlined "John Terry's mum arrested for shoplifting", "Girls' flip flops, kiddies' sweets, men's and ladies' watches, tight black leggings, casual shirts, groceries, pet food… and a green tracksuit" and "JT mums' shop haul was £1,450".
His solicitors, Kingsley Napley, claimed that the tabloid paper had identified him in breach of the Editors' Code of Practice
But the PCC rejected his complaints, saying he was "genuinely relevant to the story and could legitimately be made its focus".
The Commission said in cases made under Clause 9 (Reporting of Crime) of the Code, it had always considered the extent to which the relationship between the parties were already in the public domain.
It pointed out that both Mrs Terry and Mrs Poole had featured heavily in the exclusive media coverage of the star's wedding for a national magazine.
The pair had also benefited from the 28-year-old's personal wealth, and lived in houses he had bought for them.
It was also relevant because the stores they had allegedly stolen from sponsored the England football team.
"The complainant, as captain, could reasonably be said to be the public face of the team," the PCC ruled.
"He was also one of the highest-earning footballers in the world who, it was said, provided for his family financially.
"The fact that despite such wealth his mother and mother-in-law had been involved in claims of shoplifting was clearly relevant to the matter."
Sky News Aint heard much about this in awhile |
| | |
