Freedom of expression: why are there greater restrictions online? – Halsbury’s Law Exchange
“When you are speaking to someone face to face you are free to say something grossly offensive to them, or even to shout it out so that anyone within earshot can hear. It’s not a crime. Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 states that it doesn’t matter whether you let loose your volley of invective in front of someone who is likely to be insulted by it, or even offended by it, provided they are not likely to have been caused harassment, alarm or distress.”
Halsbury’s Law Exchange, 2nd November 2012
Source: www.halsburyslawexchange.com