The Paper Sez:
Jackass stunts website returns
A DANGEROUS stunts website which almost cost a schoolboy his life has been re-launched - six months after a wave of protests helped close it down.
The site, which recreates scenes from the cult TV show Jackass, prompted a "jumping through flames" prank which left Joe Armstrong, 11, of Darwen, in hospital with serious burns in April.
It now features 18 new pictures of stunts, including teenagers walking across a bed of flames, setting their faces, head and hair on fire (as pictured above) and jumping off a building.
Today the mother of the boy behind the website vowed he would be closing it down for good after the Evening Telegraph told her it had been re-launched.
And it was also revealed that Ofcom, the television programme regulator, was drawing up a tough new code restricting the content of adult shows. It has been partly prompted by the furore following the burns incident and the MTV's Jackass show, which has also been shown on Channel 4.
Joe, of Tunnel Street, Darwen, was left with serious burns to his legs and lower body after a fire-jumping stunt being filmed for the Live Now Die Later website went wrong.
Police launched an investigation into the incident and a picture on the website showing a boy having his head punctured with nails.
Officers decided against an assault prosecution - but now the website is back, under a different address with the slogan: "LNDL is back!"
Beverley Clare, of Anchor Avenue, Darwen, whose 15-year-old son Michael was behind the site, said she had now ordered him to close it down and find another hobby.
The website also shows what are described as 'classic' stunts, including a still of the occasion when Michael's mother ran him over at 5mph and the picture of the boy's punctured forehead.
Mrs Clare said that all the images on the website were from old stunts as she had confiscated Michael's camcorder after the trouble which erupted in April.
Today she said: "He has disabled the website on my demand.
"He was a bit upset as he had devoted a lot of time and effort to it.
"He hadn't had it up for long. I knew nothing about it.
"He has a skill in designing websites so maybe he can find another interest to set one up for."
Ofcom has published its draft broadcasting code, which is currently undergoing consultation until October 5 before being finalised.
One new section says programmes "must avoid anything that ... is likely to encourage violent, dangerous or seriously anti-social behaviour".
An Ofcom spokesman confirmed that this had been included partly as a response to concerns over the children imitating Jackass stunts in Darwen.
The guideline could potentially change the tone of shows like Jackass, by stopping the glorification of daredevil stunts.
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