One of the decorations that he put up (Picture: SWNS)

A man has become the first person to be arrested over his offensive Christmas decorations.

Steve McGawley went for a Pictionary-style bellend, drew a penis and wrote the word c**t.

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However, he refused to remove the lights at his home in Blackpool so ended up being taken into custody.

After getting a telling off from police he replaced the sign with an apology.


His arrest, which was captured on video, included a police officer saying: ‘You can either take it down or you can be charged with a public order offence.’

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Mr McGawley initially refused to answer the door to the police as he said he did not have any clothes on, but then agreed to meet with them face to face.



A female police officer can then be heard on the video saying: ‘Why don’t you put some clothes on?’ – to which he replied: ‘What for?’

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He added: ‘I’m not taking the lights down – it’s too late to take them down. I’ve took them down I don’t know how many times now.’

McGawley then denied the lights on his wall were rude and insisted the decorations were ‘festive’ – but was arrested following the ten minute argument.

The lights attracted mixed reactions from local people after pictures of the display were posted on social media.

John Madden commented: ‘It is unacceptable; children will go past this house and see this and think this is acceptable. It isn’t.’

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Peter Allen-Rogers said: ‘What does amaze me is some people find this acceptable. All it does is show how low morality in this country can go. A lack of respect for neighbours and people in general.’

However, some people saw the funny side, with one amused onlooker even suggesting setting up a fund-raiser to pay McGawley’s fine on his behalf.

Ric Hulme said: ‘I think it’s quite creative. If you have your kids up late enough to see them lit up then your a bad parent.

Adding: ‘Watershed for decorations should be a thing – after hours then you can’t complain.’

Nigel James Proffitt said: ‘We should do a whip around for his fine. It’s £90; if everyone who was so annoyed at it put in £10 and those that loved it put in £1 we’d soon be there.’

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A Lancashire police spokesman said: ‘On Monday, December 19, officers attended an address on Rodwell Walk following a number of complaints in relation to fairy lights on the outside of the house.

‘Despite attempts to engage with the occupant the lights were not taken down and a 43-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and issued with a penalty notice for disorder.’

The force also said further action could be taken if they received any more complaints.