Latest appeal in Twitter joke case heard in High Court today

Paul Chambers, the man whose Twitter joke about Robin Hood airport earned him a criminal conviction, faces an anxious wait to see if the High Court will overturn the previous verdict.

Chambers was back in the High Court today to try to get his conviction for sending a threatening message, under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, overturned.

Chambers and his legal team appealed against the ruling made in Doncaster magistrates court in May 2010.

He received a criminal conviction and a fine of over £3,000 after posting a tweet about bombing Doncaster's Robin Hood airport, which he argues was a joke.

Previous appeals to have the ruling overturned have failed; the first, in the High Court in September 2010, was followed by another this February. This latest appeal has been heard by three judges; Lord chief justice, Lord Judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams and Mr Justice Owen.

The judges heard how although Chambers may have been foolish and the joke was not really funny, it was still a joke and a throwaway remark made to his followers and could in no way be seen as a bomb hoax.

Chambers has posted on Twitter that today's hearing has now been concluded and when asked how he thought the hearing went tweeted: "Hard to tell dude. The judges have a lot to think about with precedent, so honestly couldn't tell you which way it's leaning."

The judges will give their decision at a later date.