Teen arrested for listening to rap music.

[TVR-190]

A TEEN has been arrested for listening to what police deem offensive rap music.

In what could be a legal test case, 19-year-old Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour after police arrested him when he was listening to music by underground rapper Kid Selzy on his car stereo, the Herald Sun reports.

Mr Wilkie was parked outside a Timboon supermarket, waiting for his mother, when he was arrested.

The Warrnambool Magistrates' Court heard he was listening to lyrics such as "shut your f------ mouth bitch, f------ motherf-----".

The court was told the arresting officers found the music offensive and derogatory to females.

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Mr Wilkie allegedly told officers: "You're a joke, go do some real police work."

The teenager is believed to be the first person charged under Australian law with offensive behaviour for listening to music.

Through his lawyer, Amanda Chambers, Mr Wilkie plans to plead not guilty when his case continues on June 11.

Mr Wilkie said he was thankful to have the support of Kid Selzy, who plans to attend in June.

"I am grateful to have Kid Selzy's support as this charge is a reflection on his music, that is not supposed to be offensive in any way," Mr Wilkie wrote.

"As Selzy said, 'I know what I mean and the people who buy it know what I mean, and that's what really matters'.

"He also mentioned 'if you read my lyrics, it's just my opinion'.

"And from what I believe, everyone has the right to their own opinion.

"I have lost two of my best mates in the last couple of years in tragic circumstances and I feel that listening to his music relates to life."

Kid Selzy, who gave his real name only as Jack, said he was astounded at the arrest.

"It's a joke that some kid's been arrested for doing something that's not illegal," he said.

"It's not illegal to have your windows down or to buy a CD. It seems to be a waste of taxpayers' dollars.

"If profanity's not your thing, don't listen."

The rapper said the case first came to his attention when Mr Wilkie's mother, Carolyn Wilkie, posted a message on his MySpace page.

"My son bought your CD ... from JB Hi-Fi and was playing it in his car," the message reads.

"Unfortunately he saw me (his mum) coming out of the local supermarket with shopping bags and left his car running and music playing to help me with my bags and the local cops pulled in.

"They stuck their head in his half-open window and were very offended by the lyrics of your CD.

"The end result is he has been served a summons for offensive behaviour for playing your CD, which they said was too loud and the lyrics offensive, especially to women."

Police are expected to play Kid Selzy's latest album, The Creepshow, at the next hearing.

Discuss .

[VZ_SS]

What a Nazi state this is turning into. Same sorta language you here people carrying on with down at the pub. Might call the cops next time someone swears at the pool table. What a joke!!

[Verynice]

meh, it was bound to happen. It's the 21st century.

[TVR-190]

now if only they start fining people for that screaming emo crap.

[soop]

Yeah, that could have easily been fixed with a "Turn it down, no one else wants to hear it."

I agree, this whole country is going to shit.

[STEALTHY™]

Lulz were had. I'm going to make a complaint if i ever hear 5AD playing, that music is offensive to me because its old and derogatory to young people

[CANYONERO]

i dont want to listen to other peoples chioce of music but this is a bit over the top. as said before a warning to turn it down i think would have been more appropriate. lucky hes not in SA, they wouldve impounded the car too.

[soop]

I waiting for them to use live ammunition on "Hoon" drivers. Seriously, thats about how over the top their going with this sh!t. /end offtopic.

[TVR-190]

"You're a joke, go do some real police work."

probably didnt work in his favour its gotta be said

[jujibelly]

Nazi country.

[99VT]

Fairly certain they would have had a lot of complaints from shoppers and familys about this music being subjected to elderly and children in and around the shopping centre, and for them to arrest them they would have asked him numerious times to turn it off or down and he would have failed to comply.

Therefore two charges, failure to respond to a police directive and also disturbing the peace.

Little bastard would have deserved it.

I find it amusing how in one sentance he's abusing the cops telling them they're a joke and to go do real police work, and then further down it seems like he's just minding his own business being a good son in helping his mother with groceries into the car.

I'd love to read the police officers side of the story.

[soop]

Yeah, thought the same thing haha.
I can just imagine some bogan wannabe rapper mothing off. Probably would have been cheaper to just punch him in the mouth tho.

[TVR-190]

oh hes definetly guilty ^^^

[soop]

i hate emo's...

I reckon i could get away with bashing them, they whinge so much no one would notice the difference.

[GetToDaChopa]

He deserved it just for listening tasteless garbage

And the Rapper is in on it now just for publicity.

[jujibelly]

Is that a girl?

[soop]

Is that a girl?

Nah just a girldick.

[vr94ss]

Fairly certain they would have had a lot of complaints from shoppers and familys about this music being subjected to elderly and children in and around the shopping centre, and for them to arrest them they would have asked him numerious times to turn it off or down and he would have failed to comply.

How does your certainty come about? It's not mentioned in the story anywhere. It's just your assumption so you can pay out on the kid and justify it.

Therefore two charges, failure to respond to a police directive and also disturbing the peace.

Little bastard would have deserved it.

What he was charged with is right there in the story: "Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour." So your assumptions are shown to be wrong. If you read the story he wasn't even in the car at the time to be asked to turn it down, he got out of his car to help his mum carry her bags.

I find it amusing how in one sentance he's abusing the cops telling them they're a joke and to go do real police work, and then further down it seems like he's just minding his own business being a good son in helping his mother with groceries into the car.

I'd love to read the police officers side of the story.

If that's abusing police then they have pretty thin skins and are in the wrong job. I hate rap with a passion but no way would I get offended over what others choose to listen to. If we are going to start locking people up for offending others we'll all be in gaol soon. If you're offended by something just move on.. Don't bitch and whine. When did we get the right to never be offended by something someone says.

More police over reaction and funnily enough I think he was right, those cops are a joke!

[Jezza]

i hate rap music to no end so im happy about that and i would also like to see it happen with the stupid screamer emo music

[vr94ss]

i hate rap music to no end so im happy about that and i would also like to see it happen with the stupid screamer emo music

Cool, if it happens to rap then screamer emo music I guess your music will be next as I'm sure that offends someone. Where will it end? Wouldn't you rather just stick up for the rights of all to listen to the music they enjoy so that you can also enjoy that freedom? First they came for the rap music, then they came for the screamer emo music.......

[cewing]

The title of this thread made me smile.

[Grennan]

How does your certainty come about? It's not mentioned in the story anywhere. It's just your assumption so you can pay out on the kid and justify it.

Since when have news articles told the full story? This story is from the "Victims" point of view, arent they just paying out of the copper without justification?


What he was charged with is right there in the story: "Nathan Michael Wilkie faces a charge of offensive behaviour." So your assumptions are shown to be wrong. If you read the story he wasn't even in the car at the time to be asked to turn it down, he got out of his car to help his mum carry her bags.

Im sure he was so far away he couldnt have leaned into the window and turned it down. Its not as if he was going to walk 100 meters away from the car while it the stereo was on (and therefore keys in the car) to help his mum carry her bags.


If that's abusing police then they have pretty thin skins and are in the wrong job. I hate rap with a passion but no way would I get offended over what others choose to listen to. If we are going to start locking people up for offending others we'll all be in gaol soon. If you're offended by something just move on.. Don't bitch and whine. When did we get the right to never be offended by something someone says.

More police over reaction and funnily enough I think he was right, those cops are a joke!

Sure it may be a joke, but in the interest of public harmony, his music was offensive to other shoppers. People dont want to hear profanities in the middle of a shopping center and in fact there is a law against such actions. If the kid wanted to be a smart arse, then he got what he deserved. If youre getting told to do something by the cops, dont act like a hard arse and talk back.

Sure, over reaction. But sounds like the copper gave him fair warning to turn his music down, kid responded like an idiot and Plod said "Ha well if thats the way you want it..."

[vr94ss]

Sure, over reaction. But sounds like the copper gave him fair warning to turn his music down, kid responded like an idiot and Plod said "Ha well if thats the way you want it..."

I don't know where you get that from the story. This has been to court once already so we know at least some of what the police have said as they would have been the ones that said these two things:
"You're a joke, go do some real police work"
and
The Warrnambool Magistrates' Court heard he was listening to lyrics such as "shut your f------ mouth bitch, f------ motherf-----".

If he was told repeatedly to turn it down or even once, it would have been reported I'd think. So I ask again, where to you get the "fair warning to turn it down bit?"

[jules]

about time this happened. i've been saying for years that rap music should be outlawed

[Ado]

This guy sounds like a dick,time and a place for music(what ever kind)with offensive language.Def not in a supermarket carpark.He obviously has no respect for others including the Police and his own Mother.
I can see him now,gangster clothing he got from the discount store,seat wound back and fresh black stockies on the back.
Hick town bloody Wigga.