SPCS

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY STANDARDS INC.

Some Wicked Camper vans deemed ‘objectionable’ making them illegal

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In March police submitted a number of campervans to the Classification Office following public concern about the slogans and imagery on the Wicked Campers. This is the first time the Classification Office has classified a vehicle as objectionable. Previously it has included items such as billboards, t-shirts, and even a drink can.

Some camping grounds have been turning the vehicles away and Z Energy is considering whether to refuse to sell them petrol.

Detective Superintendent Tim Anderson says today’s decision gives police more options, including possible penalties for people who drive the vehicles.

Associate Minister of Tourism Paula Bennett says the ruling “is a real victory for everyone that has seen the vans and been offended by the awful slogans and images on them”.

“This will send a clear message to Wicked Campers that their offensive slogans are not welcome here and it’s time they cleaned up their act.”

Ms Bennett says if Wicked Campers continue to use the three slogans banned today they could face a fine of up to $200,000 per offence.

Source: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/some-wicked-camper-vans-deemed-objectionable-making-them-illegal-in-nz

Censor’s office backs ban on offensive Wicked Campers designs

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Three of Wicked Campers’ most offensive vehicles have been banned from New Zealand’s roads, following a landmark ruling.

In a ruling from the Classification Office – the first time it has made a decision about a vehicle –  the organisation ruled that slogans on three of the controversial Australian company’s vehicles qualify were “objectionable publications”.

The ruling means that the vans are banned from public places in New Zealand with immediate effect, and Wicked could face a fine of up to $200,000 per offence if it continued to use them.

The banned vehicles depict a cartoon of the Cat in the Hat with drug paraphernalia, Snow White about to snort cocaine and Shaggy and Scooby Doo about to smoke marijuana.

Police had complained to the censor’s office about the offensive images and slogans on Wicked’s vehicles, asking for a ruling on whether they could be classified as an “objectionable publication”.

See full story:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/79413244/chief-censor-backs-ban-on-offensive-wicked-campers-designs

In a statement, Associate Tourism Minister Paula Bennett – who has spearheaded a campaign against Wicked – said the decision was “a real victory for everyone that has seen the vans and been offended by the awful slogans and images on them”.

“This will send a clear message to Wicked Campers that their offensive slogans are not welcome here and it’s time they cleaned up their act.” [Read more…]

Taranaki Facebook troll’s sentence overturned on appeal

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A judge who ordered a defendant to read out insulting comments he had made about him on Facebook during sentencing has been given a rap on the knuckles by the High Court of New Zealand.

Troy La Rue had called Judge Allan Roberts a  “f****** c***” with a “saggy chin” on Facebook – hours before he found himself in the New Plymouth District Court over unpaid motoring fines worth more than $6000.

He was sentenced to 300 hours’ community service – but this was later cut on appeal because of questions about the way Judge Roberts reached his sentence.

The appeal decision has been praised by Megan Boyd, La Rue’s solicitor, but condemned by the Sensible Sentencing Trust.

For full story see:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/79127961/taranaki-facebook-trolls-sentence-overturned-on-appeal

Wicked Campers – All in the Family?

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Liam Webb also refused to reply to requests for a comment on the latest controversy.

“LEANNE” (Stuff News photo above) – John William Webb’s son Liam Webb has spoken on behalf of Wicked Campers before, as “Leanne Webb” Wicked Campers slogan outrage continues.

Wicked Campers founder and owner John William Webb, father of “LEANNE” has been silently defiant in the face of the latest uproar over his vans’ slogans. The son “LEANNE” Webb is now the focus of media attention.

John Webb, has spoken up in defence of his company in the past but this time he has avoided media, deciding to keep quiet..

The Australian Business Register (ABN) records show Brisbane-based Wicked Campers is registered under the name The Trustee of the Juicy Love Trust. The company was first incorporated in October 2006.

As well as The Trustee of the Juicy Love Trust, Jihn William Webb has a string of Wicked-related companies listed on the New Zealand Companies Office site. Like any company listed in New Zealand, they have a local address for their respective registered offices. Webb’s companies’ New Zealand address is listed as a Christchurch business advisory firm [Duns Limited, Level 1, 100 Moorhouse Avenue, Addington, Christchurch, 8011 , New Zealand. [Read more…]

Wicked Campers slogan outrage continues, Mr Wicked nowhere to be seen

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Thousands of Kiwis are calling for a ban on Wicked Campers offensive slogans, but the man behind the vans is nowhere to be found.

The company behind the offensive and borderline misogynistic slogans driving around some of the most beautiful parts of New Zealand is nothing if not defiant.

John William Webb refuses to explain – let alone, apologise for – the vans that have motorists, campsites, guide books, councils and the Government up in arms. He has spoken up in defence of his company in the past but this time he has avoided media, deciding to keep quiet.

Webb's son Liam Webb has spoken on behalf of Wicked Campers before, as "Leanne Webb".

LEANNE (Stuff News photo) – Webb’s son Liam Webb has spoken on behalf of Wicked Campers before, as “LEANNE Webb”.

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As well as The Trustee of the Juicy Love Trust, Webb has a string of Wicked-related companies listed on the New Zealand Companies Office site. [Read more…]