Watch Out…

I found this on The Guardian

‘Terror’ text contained punk lyrics

Press Association
Thursday June 3, 2004

A Special Branch officer questioned a punk rock musician as a terror suspect after he sent a text message containing lyrics from a Clash song to the wrong person, it was reported today.

Band member Mike Devine, from Bristol, said he had been approached by the officer and shown a copy of a text he had sent in April, which contained the words “gun” and “jet airliner”.

The 35-year-old, who plays bass in a Clash tribute group called London Calling, had intended to text the lyrics – from the Clash song Tommy Gun – to singer Reg Shaw. Instead, he sent the message to the wrong number.

Avon and Somerset police said a Special Branch officer had visited Mr Devine after the person who received the message, sent on April 30, became concerned about its content and contacted police.

Mr Devine said he had been worried when an officer from the Special Branch confronted him at his office, and added: “I had no idea why they could want to talk to me.”

The father of two said the officer had then produced a printout of the text message, which read: “How about this for Tommy Gun? OK – so let’s agree about the price and make it one jet airliner for 10 prisoners.”

He said he had then been asked to explain what the message meant, and described how the detective had looked “puzzled” when told the words were by the Clash. The officer seemed “a little embarrassed” when he left, Mr Devine added.

A spokeswoman for Avon and Somerset police said the force had been contacted by officers from Norfolk after Mr Devine’s text message was traced to a Bristol address. She added that Mr Devine had not been arrested or cautioned.

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