Man charged after 'offensive' email sent to fire chief after Fireman Sam dropped as mascot

A man has been charged by police investigating an allegedly offensive email sent to a fire chief after his brigade dropped Fireman Sam as a mascot.

Lincolnshire Police said Jeremy Flashman, 55, was charged with sending an offensive or indecent communication, relating to an email, telephone call and voicemail sent on September 11.

Flashman, from Essex, was interviewed under caution at a police station in the county on October 11. He is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court on October 31.

Last month, Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service decided to drop Fireman Sam as a mascot amid concerns about whether the children's TV character reflected the modern fire service.

Lincolnshire Chief Fire Officer Les Britzman said the mascot was "outdated" and did not help sell the fire safety message.

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