Man pays parking fine with vulgar fine print

updated 9:36 p.m. ET Jan. 13, 2008

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. - A man who wrote a vulgar message on the memo line of a check he used to pay a $5 parking ticket has apologized in writing, leading police to drop a disorderly conduct charge against him.

Clerks were offended by the message, and the disorderly conduct charge was filed because the comment was obscene, police Chief James Donnelly said.

"He was contrite enough to offer an apology, and I think that satisfies the people who were insulted by it," he said.

The lawyer for David Binner, 45, said his client would have prevailed if he went through a trial.

"The F-word isn't what it used to be," attorney Keith Williams said. It doesn't have a sexual connotation anymore and so can't be considered obscene, he said.

Williams said his client felt bad about what he did and will pay the parking fine and court costs.

"This is not my normal nature and admittedly was a temporary lapse of judgment on my part, vented in a moment of frustration," Binner wrote in his letter of apology.

More from msnbc.com News Quiz: Which country is near bankruptcy? Dems, GOP battle over voter fraud Can China save the global economy? Gut Check: Is financial crisis affecting your job? Red Tape: AT&T customer caught in 'spam-22'

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

The Nooz: Football player up for queen The world’s strangest museums Cambodians saw house in divorce pact Defendant's sentence: 'I was stupid' Judge sentences rap fan to Beethoven Norwegian lawmaker turned to fortunetellers Family finds big snake under hood of car Woman is shot in the leg by her stove Blonde sues L'Oreal over brown dye Beau of woman stuck to toilet wins lottery Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: