Police probe trolls sending hate messages to McCanns: Detectives to investigate after being given dossier that catalogues remarks, including death threats
- Trolls wrongly believe that Kate and Gerry had some involvement in their daughter's disappearance
- Some messages are even directed at Madeleine's younger twin siblings
- Majority of those posting messages use anonymous social media accounts
- One reads: 'These two should burn in hell'... 'I'll supply the lighter - happily'
- Dossier calls on police and MPs to crack down on such vile abuse
Scotland Yard is investigating the posting online of hundreds of hate messages aimed at the McCanns.
Detectives have decided to act after being given a dossier which catalogues the abusive remarks – including death threats – aimed at the couple on Twitter, Facebook and online forums.
The messages have been posted by internet trolls who wrongly believe that Kate and Gerry, both 46, had some involvement in the disappearance of their three-year-old daughter Madeleine in Portugal in 2007.
The couple, who were cleared by police from any part in their daughter’s disappearance, have been told by trolls to ‘burn in hell’.
Some messages are even directed at Madeleine’s younger twin siblings, now aged nine. According to Sky News, ‘manipulated images’ involving the McCanns – many of them graphic – are also in wide circulation online.
The majority of those who post the vile messages use anonymous social media accounts, so their true identities are disguised.
But detectives, who are now in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service after being handed a 65-page dossier on the campaign of abuse, are confident they can identify the culprits.
The dossier – compiled by members of the public who sympathise with the McCanns – calls on police and MPs to crack down on such abuse.
Under the 2003 Communications Act, it is an offence to send messages online that are grossly offensive.
Abuse: The messages have been posted by internet trolls who wrongly believe that Kate and Gerry had some involvement in the disappearance of their daughter Madeleine in Portugal in 2007
One troll – who uses the Twitter identity ‘Sweepyface’ and has posted dozens of anti-McCann messages using the #mccann hashtag – was unrepentant when confronted over her campaign.
When asked about her comments directed at the McCanns, she told Sky News: ‘I’m entitled to.’ Among the other messages in the dossier is an exchange on a message board which reads: ‘These two should burn in hell’… ‘I will supply the petrol’… ‘I’ll supply the lighter – happily’.
Other posts include: ‘We need some numbers for some assassins’ and ‘I want to see them… trampled by horses.’
Also, several trolls claim to live near to the McCanns. One troll who claimed to live in their village posted: ‘I’m going round with the cuffs and bags.’
Another troll who claimed to live locally said: ‘Saw KM at the gym today, gave her a look of utter disgust, managed to hold my tongue though.’
The dossier’s authors claim that at least six Twitter accounts have been set up principally to abuse the McCanns and their supporters.
The campaigner spearheading the appeal – who has asked to remain anonymous – told Sky News: ‘We’re very worried that it’s only going to take somebody to act out some of these discussions, some of the threats, and we couldn’t live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing.’
Former police chief and online child security expert Jim Gamble said: ‘I’m deeply concerned by the behaviours displayed… I think the time has come for the hardcore few in the midst of this group to be investigated.’
Detective Inspector Michael Kilkenny of the Metropolitan Police told the campaign group: ‘In consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service and the McCann family, the material will now be assessed and decisions made as to what further action, if any, should be undertaken.’
Last night the McCanns declined to comment.
Vile: Detectives have decided to act after being given a dossier which catalogues the abusive remarks – including death threats – aimed at the couple on Twitter, Facebook and online forums
So let the vile trolls be arrested, Nice to see "SweepyFace" shitting herself
3 comments:
You are kidding? These two know exactly what happened to their daughter. Why is the UK government protecting them?, what have the McScams got on them?
The problem here is that with all the evidence and with factors like Kate refusing to answer questions that would aid the search for her daughter, coupled with the fact that they seek to silence anyone who contests THEIR version of events (there is NO proof an abduction took place), there are a lot of people who feel they should be investigated.
Unfortunately there are A LOT of idiots on the internet and to spout vile abuse at people who MAY be innocent is obviously preposterous behaviour. But until they are investigated and cleared, there will be a great deal of people who will feel aggrieved at the situation.
Sorry McCanns but if you want wholesale support for your cause, you need to answer those questions, explain why e-fits were supressed etc. Be honest and open, be seen to be assisting the authorities rather than hampering, stop suing people who happen to question a very tenuous theory.
I hope you can take some comfort however in that although these people do not like you, their motivation is a genuine search for justice for your daughter!
I for one only hope the truth - whatever it may be - comes out and there is justice for Madeleine.
This is ridiculous, I don't agree with abusing them but I do however, without a doubt believe they know what happened to Madeleine
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