Most people get a cake or bottle of Sainsbury’s basics vodka for their housemate’s birthday. The friends of Matt Glover-Smith had rather more elaborate plans in mind, designing, producing and printing business cards which identify Glover-Smith’s occupation as “Taxi inspector / Sexual Harasser.”

A number of the cards were later distributed to residents’ post-boxes in James Bailie residences. Resident Dara Wetton, a first year studying Medical Science who received a card, said: “It wouldn’t offend me if I received it, but I could see that it would offend some people.”

Another resident, a first-year student studying Geography, said: “It might be a joke, but it’s a sick joke.”

Speaking about the birthday prank, Glover-Smith said: “Obviously it is meant as a joke, it’s entirely ironic.” He added that it was “so out of my character.”

The card, which described Glover-Smith as “an average guy with a passion for taxis and a huge shlong looking for some fun,” also drew the attention of the Feminist Society. One commenter on the society’s Facebook page derided the prank for “bothering everyone in the building with their sexist nonsense.” Another FemSoc wrote: “This guy needs new friends!”

Surprisingly Glover-Smith told LS that there had been no backlash, despite his phone number being included on the card. He added that he would “hopefully not” receive many calls in the future.

Sean Hayes