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Deal man "ridiculed" and "humiliated" after being wrongly accused of littering on social media

05:00, 07 April 2023

A business owner says he was "hung out to dry" after a post on social media falsely accused him of littering.

Ken Saggs, from Deal, was left feeling "ridiculed" and "humiliated" after the post appeared on a Facebook page, and included a picture of his car and registration number.

Ken Saggs, from Deal, says he was only removing magnolia leaves from a car which had fallen on his bonnet. Pictures: Barry Goodwin.
Ken Saggs, from Deal, says he was only removing magnolia leaves from a car which had fallen on his bonnet. Pictures: Barry Goodwin.

It accused him of throwing waste out of his vehicle's window with an angry user calling him 'scum' in the comments section.

He was later quizzed about it by colleagues, as was his wife.

But Mr Saggs says says he did no such thing and it was actually magnolia leaves which were on his car bonnet from a tree he parks under at his home.

He is now calling for admins of social media pages to take more responsibility after he was left shaken by the online vitriol.

Mr Saggs, 57, said: "I was ridiculed and hung out to dry.

The post on social media also included a picture of Mr Saggs' car
The post on social media also included a picture of Mr Saggs' car

"I was the victim of social media, embarrassed, and insulted for something I did not do.

"The comments were quite scary. I felt like I was guilty before proven innocent.

"People left derogative comments, calling me hateful things like scum."

He says efforts should have been made to protect his identify, adding: "A picture of my vehicle and my registration plate was posted.

"I am a business owner and my vehicle is recognised by a lot of people. The number plate should have been blurred.

The leaves from the tree at Mr Saggs' home were flying off his bonnet as he was driving
The leaves from the tree at Mr Saggs' home were flying off his bonnet as he was driving

"When I went to work on Monday, I was asked about it by my colleagues and felt embarrassed.

"My wife, who works at the hospital, was also questioned about it."

The post, which was published on Sunday, has now been taken down and the lady behind it has apologised to Mr Saggs.

"The lady seems like a decent person," Mr Saggs says.

"She admitted she made a genuine mistake and apologised. I have nothing against her.

He says he has been "humiliated" after a picture of his car was posted on Facebook accusing him of littering
He says he has been "humiliated" after a picture of his car was posted on Facebook accusing him of littering

"The admins to the Facebook group need to take responsibility. What if this had happened to a vulnerable adult?"

Mr Saggs, who owns and runs Park View Domiciliary Care health service, says this could have a really negative impact if it had happened to someone more vulnerable.

"I could go to Sainsbury's, someone could see my car and accost me," he says.

"Next thing I know, I am in an altercation.

"This could make people scared to go out for fear of being accosted, especially if they have a nervous disposition."

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