Man fined for giving out free hugs

A man was fined for giving out free hugs to the public at a metro station in Montreal.

A blogger called Tommy Boucher wore a green t-shirt with 'Free Hugs' emblazoned on it and hugged members of the public at the Jean-Talon Metro station in Quebec, but is kind gestured was not appreciated as was issued a fine of $101 - the equivalent of approximately £60 for offering the gesture to passers-by because he didn't have a permit, according to CTV news.

Tommy was punished under STM bylaw R-036, which states: "In a Metro station, after obtaining the authorization of the Society, it is permitted to offer for sale or lease services or merchandise, or to exhibit or distribute such services or merchandise, subject to the other restrictions in the present bylaw. Under any other circumstance or in any other place, such activities are forbidden."

Tommy - who had been sharing the love for a year - insisted he was shocked by the news and just wanted to make people feel good.

In a statement on his blog, he wrote: "I know these guys have the mission to keep the peace in the subway ... but when they give a ticket to those who actually are [peaceful], where is the world going?"

Tommy has reportedly been let off with the fine and has instead been issued with a warning.

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