Australian Teenager Charged For Wearing 'Blasphemous' CRADLE OF FILTH T-Shirt

Australia's Herald Sun reports that a Gold Coast teenager has been charged by police for wearing a blasphemous t-shirt degrading Jesus.

The boy, 16, was stopped by police in Biggera Waters after he was spotted wearing a t-shirt which claims "Jesus is a Cunt" and depicts a nun masturbating.

It is a t-shirt for English extreme metal band CRADLE OF FILTH.

The teen was charged with offensive behaviour under the Summary Offences Act 2005 for public nuisance on Monday.

The incident has sparked debate about Australia's lack of a Bill of Rights.

Sen-Sgt Arron Ottaway defended charging the teen.

"I'm not religious but that's just offensive,'' Sen-Sgt Ottaway said.

Police conducted inquiries at Australia Fair shopping centre, where the teen said he bought the shirt, to find any shops selling it.

Read the entire article from Herald Sun.

Metro newspaper reported in October 2005 that a British teenage heavy metal fan had been handed a community service order for wearing the CRADLE OF FILTH "Jesus is a Cunt" t-shirt.

Adam Shepherd, who was 19 at the time, was reportedly convicted under the then-new anti-hate laws which ban people from displaying religiously insulting signs.

The teenager was arrested after a woman complained to police when she saw his shirt, which shows a picture of a nun in a pornographic pose. The top was being worn by Shepherd's girlfriend when a police officer approached her. As soon as the teenager realized there was a problem, he told the officer it was his and swapped tops with his girlfriend. But he refused to take it off or cover it up and was arrested.

Shepherd, who bought the shirt in his hometown of Weymouth, Dorset, admitted the charge. Weymouth magistrates gave him 80 hours community service and told him to pay 40 costs (approx. $71 at the time).

Meanwhile, MediaWatchWatch.org.uk reported that the wearing of this T-shirt has led to at least two previous convictions in the UK.

Dale Wilson, 35, of Norwich, was arrested by two police officers as he walked to the newsagents on Halloween 2004. He pleaded guilty to "religiously aggravated offensive conduct." He was eventually discharged and told to "grow up." He paid 150 costs (approx. $266),and the judge ordered that the T-shirt be destroyed.

Back in 1997, Rob Kenyon, 29, of London was found guilty of committing the offense of "Profane Representation under the 1839 Act" by Bow Street Magistrates Court. He was fined 150.

CRADLE OF FILTH drummer Nicholas Barker was also arrested in Dover and charged with "creating a public disorder" for wearing the same t-shirt. There were no further proceedings against him.

From the NME: In 2001, the then-Lord Provost of Glasgow, Alex Mosson, campaigned to have the t-shirt prevented from being sold at Tower Records. The record shop was raided on two occasions by police, and eventually agreed to stop stocking the garment. The Catholic League of America, back in 1998 (amusing "Victory for Sickos" story) and 1999 (their call to action),also complained bitterly about the t-shirt.