Police used Section 5 to pursue the following cases: Teenager Kyle Little was arrested after he said “woof” to two labradors. Convicted of causing alarm and distress, he was cleared on appeal.
An Oxford student was arrested for a “homophobic” comment after he told a police officer: “Excuse me, do you realise your horse is gay?” The case was dropped.
Atheist pensioner John Richards was told he faced arrest if he persisted in putting up a sign in his window saying: “Religions are fairy stories for adults”.
Animal rights protesters who brandished toy seals coloured with red dye were told the public found it distressing. Police ordered them to move on.
Street preacher Dale McAlpine was charged for saying “homosexuality is a sin” to a police officer. Police later admitted wrongful arrest. - Daily Mail