Smile! Your crime is on YouTube

2008-05-21 21:48

London - A British man has been branded a city's "dumbest criminal" after he posted more than 80 videos of himself committing various misdemeanours on YouTube, officials said on Wednesday.

Andrew Kellett, 23, was banned from boasting about his criminal activities on the internet after posting videos of himself and others taking Class A drugs, racing cars at high speeds and trespassing and shouting abuse.

He even filmed himself receiving a suspended sentence for an offence at Leeds Magistrates' Court in the northern English city.

On Tuesday, the court issued him with an interim anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) to stop him showing unlawful activities on the video-sharing website. Some of the videos were shown to magistrates as part of the prosecution's case.

"Kellett must be in the running to be Leeds' dumbest criminal. He has handed us the evidence against him on a plate," said Leeds councillor Les Carter.

Under the terms of the order, which lasts at least until next month, Kellett cannot post any image or description of unlawful activity on the internet.

Kellett opposed the court's order, claiming he was merely a bystander filming and the offences would have happened regardless of whether he was at the scene or not.

- AFP