Shock jock station fined pounds 10,000

Manchester's Piccadilly Radio has been fined pounds 10,000 by watchdogs for an outburst by its shock jock James Stanage, it was announced yesterday.

Stanage insulted callers, including the relative of one of five teenage joyriders who died in a car crash in the region, and suggested on air that they had "got what they deserved". He has also used "offensive language" to a caller in a separate incident, the Radio Authority said. The pounds 10,000 fine, one of the largest imposed by the Radio Authority, follows a pounds 1,000 fine last year for remarks by the same presenter. Stanage was suspended for his comments.