A man has landed in serious legal trouble after making a highly offensive Halloween costume choice.
David Wootton, 40, chose to dress up as Salman Abedi, the bomber responsible for the tragic 2017 Manchester Arena attack that killed 22 people, many of them children, at an Ariana Grande concert.
Social Media Backlash
Wootton shared pictures of himself in the costume, which featured an Arabic-style headdress and a T-shirt with the phrase “I love Ariana Grande.”
He carried a rucksack with “Boom” and “TNT” written on it, and captioned the photo with the disturbing message, “Bet I get kicked out of the party.”
Unsurprisingly, his stunt was met with fury online, even from his friends.
Despite the backlash, Wootton boasted later, saying he had won “best costume.”
Facing Jail Time
Following public outrage, Wootton was arrested and last week pleaded guilty to sending an offensive message online.
His case has been transferred to York Crown Court, where he could face up to two years in jail.
Sentencing is set for October 3.
Wootton, who has since changed his name and relocated to London, will soon learn his fate.
Victims’ Families Hope for Justice
Andrea Hill, a key witness in the case, expressed her satisfaction with the guilty plea.
She stated, “He’s a scumbag who deserves everything coming to him.”
Hill, along with others, hopes that Wootton’s punishment will bring some comfort to the families of the bombing victims, who continue to seek justice for their loved ones.
Police Statement and Arrest
North Yorkshire Police confirmed Wootton’s arrest on November 1 after receiving numerous complaints about his costume.
The force noted that the offensive outfit depicted the Manchester Arena bomber, and Wootton was charged with several offenses, including using a public communication network to send offensive messages.
As his sentencing date approaches, many are watching to see what consequences Wootton will face for his actions.
