Never too old to be a Scumbag

[Kazanne]

I have no words for this old bastard.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-hunting-james-bulger-ghost-3615870

[Livia]

I have no words for this old bastard.
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/police-hunting-james-bulger-ghost-3615870

I've got some words. They all start with B C and F.

[HD]

What a ****... :/

[jackc1806]

That's awful

[Ammi]

..really quite a despicable person, at least he will be charged now...

[Kazanne]

I hope the old twunt,gets the book thrown at him.

[Tom4784]

What a waste of time and police resources. The fact that Taxpayer money was used to go slap a twitter troll on the wrist is about as offensive as anything the troll said.

[LaLaLand]

Disgusting human being.

[Cherie]

What a waste of time and police resources. The fact that Taxpayer money was used to go slap a twitter troll on the wrist is about as offensive as anything the troll said.

So harrassment is okay as long as it's done from the comfort of your home pc :conf:

[Kazanne]

So harrassment is okay as long as it's done from the comfort of your home pc :conf:

Lot of cowards about Cherie,I hope this twat is made an example of.

[Cherie]

Lot of cowards about Cherie,I hope this twat is made an example of.

They chucked the guy who made offensive comments about teacher stabbed in Leeds in prison, hopefully this guy gets the same.

[Jessica.]

What a waste of time and police resources. The fact that Taxpayer money was used to go slap a twitter troll on the wrist is about as offensive as anything the troll said.

I agree with you tbh.

[Cherie]

I agree with you tbh.

Quelle surprise.

[Jessica.]

Quelle surprise.

What's that supposed to mean, Cherie? :hmph:

[Vicky.]

What a dick..why do people do stuff like this?

[Tom4784]

So harrassment is okay as long as it's done from the comfort of your home pc :conf:

If someone made a joke about Jamie Bulger in real life would they be arrested? No they wouldn't so the idea of police devoting time and resources to go after an arsehole who posted some mean comments on Twitter is an outrage. Are there no other crimes that need investigating or is Sussex some sort of crime free haven that the police have resorted to becoming Twitter Mods for something to do?

It's easy enough to block trolls on Twitter so the thought of getting the Police involved over some hurtful comments is ludicrous. It's a slippery slope that's inevitably going to lead to censorship.

[Glenn.]

I agree with Dezzy tbh

[Cherie]

If someone made a joke about Jamie Bulger in real life would they be arrested? No they wouldn't so the idea of police devoting time and resources to go after an arsehole who posted some mean comments on Twitter is an outrage. Are there no other crimes that need investigating or is Sussex some sort of crime free haven that the police have resorted to becoming Twitter Mods for something to do?

It's easy enough to block trolls on Twitter so the thought of getting the Police involved over some hurtful comments is ludicrous. It's a slippery slope that's inevitably going to lead to censorship.

The difference being he didn't joke about it with his workmates, he took it directly to the family I don't know how anyone can excuse that.

[Glenn.]

There's no excuse for that but a troll is a troll. You block it and ignore it.

[Kazanne]

I agree with Dezzy tbh

I don't think you would feel that way if it happened to you.

[Jessica.]

The difference being he didn't joke about it with his workmates, he took it directly to the family I don't know how anyone can excuse that.

He already mentioned how easy it is to block people on twitter and other social media websites, it is a complete waste to put so much resources into something so irrelevant. I'm sure it wouldn't be given much notice if it wasn't a famous case.

[Tom4784]

I don't think you would feel that way if it happened to you.

He'd probably just block the troll and get on with his life like Jamie Bulger's mother probably did.

[Glenn.]

I don't think you would feel that way if it happened to you.

I'd block him like everyone else would.

[Tom4784]

The difference being he didn't joke about it with his workmates, he took it directly to the family I don't know how anyone can excuse that.

The price of Freedom of Speech is that you'll sometimes hear things you don't want to hear, the price of a free internet is that some people use it for nasty purposes. Trolls like this person are an acceptable price for an internet free of censorship.

[Kazanne]

Well as long as we get free speech on the internet that's ok,and what a joke that is,you don't even get that on here,anyway not being dragged into this by people who don't understand so enjoy being internet warriors.I think the family have suffered enough without scum like this getting their rocks off at it.

[Jessica.]

Well as long as we get free speech on the internet that's ok,and what a joke that is,you don't even get that on here,anyway not being dragged into this by people who don't understand so enjoy being internet warriors.I think the family have suffered enough without scum like this getting their rocks off at it.

I don't understand how you can think the resources wasted for this case are worth it. Don't you think they would be better used to prevent crimes that actually harms people?

[Cherie]

The price of Freedom of Speech is that you'll sometimes hear things you don't want to hear, the price of a free internet is that some people use it for nasty purposes. Trolls like this person are an acceptable price for an internet free of censorship.

I'm sure the Bulger family have come up against all sorts since James died lots of good, lots of not so good people if it were me and i had lost a child in that way i would take no chances, pretty sure they have been told to report anything of this nature.

[michael21]

some people are stick in the head

[Kazanne]

I don't understand how you can think the resources wasted for this case are worth it. Don't you think they would be better used to prevent crimes that actually harms people?

Then I wont explain.

[Glenn.]

I don't understand how you can think the resources wasted for this case are worth it. Don't you think they would be better used to prevent crimes that actually harms people?

This.

It's a joke in itself.

[Tom4784]

Well as long as we get free speech on the internet that's ok,and what a joke that is,you don't even get that on here,anyway not being dragged into this by people who don't understand so enjoy being internet warriors.I think the family have suffered enough without scum like this getting their rocks off at it.

You don't understand, there's rules on every site but that doesn't mean you'll get arrested if you get into an argument with someone on Tibb. Twitter shouldn't be policed, Twitter's mods should ultimately do a better job of culling the troll accounts. It shouldn't be something that we waste Police time and resources on.

I cannot stand people that are so willing to throw away their freedoms for insignificant reasons. Trolls are a vocal minority and chances are that Jamie Bulger's mother has received more love from people and help for her causes than she has abuse from trolls. Allow the internet to be censored and policed and eventually it will end up affecting everyone.

This troll is insignificant, this whole incident as a whole is ultimately insignificant. Trolls look for a reaction, if you block them and don't give them one then they'll get bored. This sad old man is probably chuffed that he's been given some attention.

[smeagol]

is there any reason why that family get so much hassel from people. isit connected to the kids who done it or something. i find it very strange.

That guy is so doomed they even printed his addtess not to hard to know who it is.
very sick and very strange some people

[Kazanne]

Oh,I understand more than you know,lets leave it there shall we?

[Glenn.]

Maybe we should.

[Tom4784]

Oh,I understand more than you know,lets leave it there shall we?

Not good enough, this is serious debates so debate away. Don't be so patronising to mask the fact that you don't have a counter argument.

[Jessica.]

Oh,I understand more than you know,lets leave it there shall we?

What more do you know than anyone else? Why does what you know make this any more of a crime than it seems to be? Even if you were the child's mother I don't believe it is a reason to think that someone trolling on twitter is a crime.

[Toy Soldier]

If someone made a joke about Jamie Bulger in real life would they be arrested? No they wouldn't so the idea of police devoting time and resources to go after an arsehole who posted some mean comments on Twitter is an outrage. Are there no other crimes that need investigating or is Sussex some sort of crime free haven that the police have resorted to becoming Twitter Mods for something to do?

It's easy enough to block trolls on Twitter so the thought of getting the Police involved over some hurtful comments is ludicrous. It's a slippery slope that's inevitably going to lead to censorship.

I'm inclined to agree with you on this: I've been an internet / forum user since the days of AOL 3.0 (around 1997) and I think the way the 'net has gone in the last 5 or 6 years is nothing short of a tragedy. What was once mainly a collection of small to medium sized forums owned by individuals or small numbers of individuals, and was a haven of anonymity and true freedom of speech and expression, was completely taken over by huge corporate entities like Facebook, YouTube et al., flooded by the masses, at this point has been completely consumerised, and over the last couple of years, censorship has raised its' ugly mug.

There have always been trolls and there has always been ugliness. And it's always been worth it to hold on to that little glimmer of freedom in a world that's already dominated by governments and authorities.

The sheer number of websites now blocked by UK ISPs is horrifying. The first time I encountered a "site blocked by ISP" landing page (piratebay, for the record :hugesmile: ), my heart genuinely just... sank. Nothing to do with the block - they're so easy to circumvent it's actually painful - but just because the block exists, and what that means. What the internet once was is gone. What it's been replaced by is a monstrosity.

[thesheriff443]

You don't understand, there's rules on every site but that doesn't mean you'll get arrested if you get into an argument with someone on Tibb. Twitter shouldn't be policed, Twitter's mods should ultimately do a better job of culling the troll accounts. It shouldn't be something that we waste Police time and resources on.

I cannot stand people that are so willing to throw away their freedoms for insignificant reasons. Trolls are a vocal minority and chances are that Jamie Bulger's mother has received more love from people and help for her causes than she has abuse from trolls. Allow the internet to be censored and policed and eventually it will end up affecting everyone.

This troll is insignificant, this whole incident as a whole is ultimately insignificant. Trolls look for a reaction, if you block them and don't give them one then they'll get bored. This sad old man is probably chuffed that he's been given some attention.

tell some one on tibb that you are going to kill them and you will have the police knocking on your door. and you will be arrested.

[Jessica.]

tell some one on tibb that you are going to kill them and you will have the police knocking on your door. and you will be arrested.

It's been said on TiBB many times, also many people have told other members to die.

[thesheriff443]

It's been said on TiBB many times, also many people have told other members to die.

telling someone to die is not the same as saying you are going to kill them.

[Jessica.]

telling someone to die is not the same as saying you are going to kill them.

Members have said they are going to kill others, I'm sure I've seen it once or twice.

[Toy Soldier]

tell some one on tibb that you are going to kill them and you will have the police knocking on your door. and you will be arrested.

...and unless there was any reason to believe that the threat was genuine, that will have been a complete waste of police time and resources. In fact, if the threat is clearly just "hot air", I doubt there'd even be an arrest. You're talking a slap on the wrists at most.

It's also not as easy to track someone down from an anonymous screen name with no other information as you'd think... unless the user had linked to their personal details / facebook or twitter accounts, the police probably wouldn't even bother tracing it.

[smeagol]

i dont beleive in internet policing. they have already gone too far. with people being arrested and sent to prison for silly jokes on facebook. one guy got 2 years for a joke thats more than a rapist.

but saying that ,things as sick as this incident the people need to be stopped as its not just silly trolling its evil and harmful . only matters that bad should be acted upon. anything else people threating to kill eachother or silly jokes or one off remarks no way. happens everyday.

[armand.kay]

What a waste of time and police resources. The fact that Taxpayer money was used to go slap a twitter troll on the wrist is about as offensive as anything the troll said.

Thank you!! What he did is awful but getting the police involved just seems excessive and pointless. Site admins should deal with mess like this.

[Tom4784]

tell some one on tibb that you are going to kill them and will have the police knocking on your door. and you will be arrested.

Except that would never happen. We've had death threats before and they've always been empty baseless remarks that we've swiftly deleted and dealt with. Getting the police involved with something as insignificant as that is ridiculous.

[thesheriff443]

Members have said they are going to kill others, I'm sure I've seen it once or twice.

one the mods would remove it and you would be banned.

[Jessica.]

one the mods would remove it and you would be banned.

I haven't said mods wouldn't remove it. :conf: I've never heard of someone being arrested for it though, so you are wrong.

[thesheriff443]

Except that would never happen. We've had death threats before and they've always been empty baseless remarks that we've swiftly deleted and dealt with. Getting the police involved with something as insignificant as that is ridiculous.

if you post that you are going to kill me and I report it to the police, they will investigate it.

[thesheriff443]

I haven't said mods wouldn't remove it. :conf: I've never heard of someone being arrested for it though, so you are wrong.

no you are wrong.

[Tom4784]

if you post that you are going to kill me and I report it to the police, they will investigate it.

They'll say they investigated it but ultimately they'll do nothing if there's no basis to the threat.

[thesheriff443]

They'll say they investigated it but ultimately they'll do nothing if there's no basis to the threat.

so there you go, people cant think they can say what they like and get away with it.

[Toy Soldier]

but saying that ,things as sick as this incident the people need to be stopped as its not just silly trolling its evil and harmful . only matters that bad should be acted upon. anything else people threating to kill eachother or silly jokes or one off remarks no way. happens everyday.


Back in the good old days the internet more or less policed itself. Malicious trolls were either dealt with quickly by site staff (because the sites were all small to medium sized, personally owned forums, much like TiBB, not huge sprawling messes like Facebook) OR the trolls were torn to shreds by tight-knit forum communities. Which was often brilliant to watch. And participate in. It was so much better... but you don't get the latter any more, because the people who DO have a sense of justice, the intelligent community members sharp enough (and just vicious enough) to send people packing, are now too scared to get involved, because they fear real-life retribution or that they themselves will somehow become the target of legal action / a police visit.

[Glenn.]

My sister is having grief with her ex ATM. He's threatened all sorts, police have been notified and nothing's been done. Police aren't going to take the empty threats of an internet troll too seriously. It seems a fuss has been made over this because of who the person is. Still doesn't justify the manpower it needed to resolve. It should of been nipped in the bud. By twitter, and not at the cost if taxpayers.

[Toy Soldier]

if you post that you are going to kill me and I report it to the police, they will investigate it.

Yes, they'd investigate it. They'd look at the post, say "this clearly isn't a genuine threat", and then do nothing at all.

[Doogle]

What a waste of time and police resources. The fact that Taxpayer money was used to go slap a twitter troll on the wrist is about as offensive as anything the troll said.

Agreed. This **** happens every day, it's what sadly happens with the internet existing. You can't stop it because there's so many cases where this will happen

[Tom4784]

so there you go, people cant think they can say what they like and get away with it.

Not really, if you reported a death threat online to the police you'd get the police equivalent of a Taxi Operator's 'he's just around the corner' remark unless it was a serious threat which 99.9999999999999999999% of them aren't.

Anyway you cut it it's a waste of time and resources.

[thesheriff443]

My sister is having grief with her ex ATM. He's threatened all sorts, police have been notified and nothing's been done. Police aren't going to take the empty threats of an internet troll too seriously. It seems a fuss has been made over this because of who the person is. Still doesn't justify the manpower it needed to resolve. It should of been nipped in the bud. By twitter, and not at the cost if taxpayers.

so nothing gets done and he can target someone else.

[Cherie]

]My sister is having grief with her ex ATM. He's threatened all sorts, police have been notified and nothing's been done.[/B] Police aren't going to take the empty threats of an internet troll too seriously. It seems a fuss has been made over this because of who the person is. Still doesn't justify the manpower it needed to resolve. It should of been nipped in the bud. By twitter, and not at the cost if taxpayers.


So are your family wasting police time and resources by reporting it?

[thesheriff443]

Not really, if you reported a death threat online to the police you'd get the police equivalent of a Taxi Operator's 'he's just around the corner' remark unless it was a serious threat which 99.9999999999999999999% of them aren't.

Anyway you cut it it's a waste of time and resources.

yes its a waste of time and money let the pedophile's target kids after all its only the internet.

[Glenn.]

So are your family wasting police time and resources by reporting it?

No because it's an actual threat cherie, made by someone with the intention to act upon it, not a stranger on twitter. Pretending to be the ghost of a dead child isn't a threat?

[smudgie]

He is indeed a scumbag Kaz.

Sick bstd.

[Tom4784]

So are your family wasting police time and resources by reporting it?

So you consider a threat to Glenn's sister from someone she knows intimately in real life the same as a random twitter troll's remarks?

Really Cherie? Really?

[smeagol]

Back in the good old days the internet more or less policed itself. Malicious trolls were either dealt with quickly by site staff (because the sites were all small to medium sized, personally owned forums, much like TiBB, not huge sprawling messes like Facebook) OR the trolls were torn to shreds by tight-knit forum communities. Which was often brilliant to watch. And participate in. It was so much better... but you don't get the latter any more, because the people who DO have a sense of justice, the intelligent community members sharp enough (and just vicious enough) to send people packing, are now too scared to get involved, because they fear real-life retribution or that they themselves will somehow become the target of legal action / a police visit.

i agree with that actually. you cant say anything anymore. if a troll comes you'd be more likely to get banned yourself . where as you say before it would be a fun free for all and they'd go running .
i went on a music site id not been on for ages . was a war zone most of the time but fun. they chnaged it, i get atroll i called him a idiot and i got a warning lol wtf. i was being polite as well lol. i wont be back there again.
The net is getting worst no doubt about it. cant chat anymore without restrictions.
but when it comes to dead kids something has to be done. thats a different form of trolling thats in another relm its not even a joke or a remark. its a premediated sick planned attack,

[Tom4784]

yes its a waste of time and money let the pedophile's target kids after all its only the internet.

Who mentioned anything about peadophiles? What are you actually on? What topic are you reading? Because I don't think you're reading the same thing as everyone else.

[Cherie]

So you consider a threat to Glenn's sister from someone she knows intimately in real life the same as a random twitter troll's remarks?

Really Cherie? Really?

An internet troll can be someone you know in real life, they are not always strangers, I would take the better safe then sorry approach.

[Cherie]

No because it's an actual threat cherie, made by someone with the intention to act upon it, not a stranger on twitter. Pretending to be the ghost of a dead child isn't a threat?

I do feel for you a friends daughter is going through similar at the minute, the police have been great though.

[Glenn.]

I do feel for you a friends daughter is going through similar at the minute, the police have been great though.

Your friends daughters very lucky then. Our local police have probably been dealing with the paperwork from the case we're discussing.

[thesheriff443]

Who mentioned anything about peadophiles? What are you actually on? What topic are you reading? Because I don't think you're reading the same thing as everyone else.

you are the one on the wrong thread it seems, you cant seem to get your head around the fact that what that man was doing was sick and its not going to be tolerated, just because it being said on the internet and not in the street that it should not be treated seriously.

[Tom4784]

An internet troll can be someone you know in real life, they are not always strangers, I would take the better safe then sorry approach.

Except going to the police over it would ultimately be a placebo unless you could prove a link between the troll and someone you knew IRL AS WELL as there being a legitimate danger to your well being.

It's a waste of time since trolls are still trolls at the end of the day and the chances of them doing anything in real life is lower than low. The police shouldn't get involved since it's an Admin issue.

[Jessica.]

you are the one on the wrong thread it seems, you cant seem to get your head around the fact that what that man was doing was sick and its not going to be tolerated, just because it being said on the internet and not in the street that it should not be treated seriously.

He was PRETENDING to be a GHOST! Ghosts don't exist, how could anybody be offended by something so idiotic? He should not have done it but it definitely wasn't a crime.

[thesheriff443]

He was PRETENDING to be a GHOST! Ghosts don't exist, how could anybody be offended by something so idiotic? He should not have done it but it definitely wasn't a crime.

his aim was to cause hurt and suffering to a mother that had her child murdered, if I dress up as a clown and punch you in the face, the police wont come out and say oh you are being silly he is a clown look at his big shoes, chuckle chuckle.

[Glenn.]

his aim was to cause hurt and suffering to a mother that had her child murdered, if I dress up as a clown and punch you in the face, the police wont come out and say oh you are being silly he is a clown look at his big shoes, chuckle chuckle.

If you did that, that would be you committing a crime, you know, assault. Not really relevant here.

[Kizzy]

The price of Freedom of Speech is that you'll sometimes hear things you don't want to hear, the price of a free internet is that some people use it for nasty purposes. Trolls like this person are an acceptable price for an internet free of censorship.

In this case I don't want a free internet.. If the price is people are abused and harassed without redress by some jumped up geek banging away on his keyboard spouting their mouth off to those grieving then I say regulate the hell out of it and expose them all.

[thesheriff443]

If you did that, that would be you committing a crime, you know, assault. Not really relevant here.

its a reference to taking things serious, so it is relevant.

[Firewire]

In this case I don't want a free internet.. If the price is people are abused and harassed without redress by some jumped up geek banging away on his keyboard spouting their mouth off to those grieving then I say regulate the hell out of it and expose them all.

People are abused on a daily basis, in schools, in workplaces, in their own homes. People get slurs thrown at them, people make jibes, people get bullied. Does anything happen? Not really. Online you can block someone out of your life, but in school, for example, you can't. Being online is an escape for some people. There will always be rude people and ignorant people, but you can block them out of your life. If you don't want an internet, get rid of your dial up.

[Kizzy]

People are abused on a daily basis, in schools, in workplaces, in their own homes. People get slurs thrown at them, people make jibes, people get bullied. Does anything happen? Not really. Online you can block someone out of your life, but in school, for example, you can't. Being online is an escape for some people. There will always be rude people and ignorant people, but you can block them out of your life. If you don't want an internet, get rid of your dial up.

Harassment is harassment... it makes no difference if it's in person, on the phone or online.

[Glenn.]

its a reference to taking things serious, so it is relevant.

But it's not relevant to the discussion. The fact is, a troll pretended to be the ghost of a dead child. It's disturbing yes and in no way do I agree with it but the fact is it should of been dealt with by twitter. Not at the cost of taxpayers by wasting police time.

[thesheriff443]

But it's not relevant to the discussion. The fact is, a troll pretended to be the ghost of a dead child. It's disturbing yes and in no way do I agree with it but the fact is it should of been dealt with by twitter. Not at the cost of taxpayers by wasting police time.

clearly the police see it differently, its in the public interest to stop these people so other would be trolls think twice about abusing someone.

pretending to be a ghost to abuse someone makes no difference its still abuse.

[Glenn.]

Ok then

[Kizzy]

It is as disturbing if not more so to be abused by a stranger as opposed to someone you know for me. It's tormenting and menacing to have a faceless entity attacking you from a psychological perspective. It's an area that needs serious attention and I wouldn't think anyone affected or who can empathise with the victim here would suggest that any investigation is a waste of resources.

[Glenn.]

It was a waste of resources. Twitter has means to stop this sort of thing, THEY should of done something. Not the police.

[Firewire]

It is as disturbing if not more so to be abused by a stranger as opposed to someone you know for me. It's tormenting and menacing to have a faceless entity attacking you from a psychological perspective. It's an area that needs serious attention and I wouldn't think anyone affected or who can empathise with the victim here would suggest that any investigation is a waste of resources.

block them

[joeysteele]

I find it absolutely sick that anyone let alone someone of over 60 years of age could stoop so low to tear this family to pieces emotionally again.

They must still be devastated by that horrific and in my view, unforgivable murder of little James.

Sick, the man is pathetic,in fact that is being way too generous to even call him a man.

[Kizzy]

It was a waste of resources. Twitter has means to stop this sort of thing, THEY should of done something. Not the police.

It isn't as harassment is still an offence, they need to be stopped and punished, that way those who feel it is open season on sites dedicated to deceased children and such may think twice if their sick backsides get hauled to court?....

[Kizzy]

block them

That's not the point I'm trying to make here.

[Glenn.]

It isn't as harassment is still an offence, they need to be stopped and punished, that way those who feel it is open season on sites dedicated to deceased children and such may think twice if their sick backsides get hauled to court?....

There are ways to deal with harassment on twitter though. It's called blocking them.

[Kizzy]

There are ways to deal with harassment on twitter though. It's called blocking them.

That's not the point either harassment via twitter needs to be taken as serious as it would via any other medium.

[Glenn.]

By trolls pretending to be dead children? It's sick yeah but there's worse things happening in the world. Things that need the attention of police. This I'm afraid isn't one of them.

[Jessica.]

Lots of people pretend to be Elvis and he is dead, should they get arrested? :o

[thesheriff443]

Lots of people pretend to be Elvis and he is dead, should they get arrested? :o

we have the best elvis impersonator in the word, lives locally to me, so the answer is no.

[Kizzy]

By trolls pretending to be dead children? It's sick yeah but there's worse things happening in the world. Things that need the attention of police. This I'm afraid isn't one of them.

In your opinion, luckily the police do take this more seriously.

[thesheriff443]

By trolls pretending to be dead children? It's sick yeah but there's worse things happening in the world. Things that need the attention of police. This I'm afraid isn't one of them.

people have killed them selves thanks to internet trolls, so it is worth investigating.

[Kizzy]

Lots of people pretend to be Elvis and he is dead, should they get arrested? :o

What on earth has that got to do with this discussion?

[Vicky.]

I can kinda see both sides of this. On the one hand the kneejerk reaction is that this guy should be punished. What he did was undeniably sick and I really feel for that poor woman the amount of trolling she has had thrown at her over the years.

On the other hand I think the police are already overworked as it is, much more serious crimes go pretty much ignored and they just do not have the time to police the internet. Also its a bit unfair to just cherry pick which cases they actually take up from twitter, which seems to be what they do. Death threats are ignored unless its a big celeb...etc etc. All should be treat the same, regardless who the victim is :shrug:

[Jessica.]

I can kinda see both sides of this. On the one hand the kneejerk reaction is that this guy should be punished. What he did was undeniably sick and I really feel for that poor woman the amount of trolling she has had thrown at her over the years.

On the other hand I think the police are already overworked as it is, much more serious crimes go pretty much ignored and they just do not have the time to police the internet. Also its a bit unfair to just cherry pick which cases they actually take up from twitter, which seems to be what they do. Death threats are ignored unless its a big celeb...etc etc. All should be treat the same, regardless who the victim is :shrug:

I completely agree with you, I said earlier that I think it wouldn't have been made a big deal of if it wasn't such a famous case.

[Kizzy]

I can kinda see both sides of this. On the one hand the kneejerk reaction is that this guy should be punished. What he did was undeniably sick and I really feel for that poor woman the amount of trolling she has had thrown at her over the years.

On the other hand I think the police are already overworked as it is, much more serious crimes go pretty much ignored and they just do not have the time to police the internet. Also its a bit unfair to just cherry pick which cases they actually take up from twitter, which seems to be what they do. Death threats are ignored unless its a big celeb...etc etc. All should be treat the same, regardless who the victim is :shrug:

It is serious though to the victim isn't it? and I doubt it will be investigated in any depth until it becomes a serious issue.

[Vicky.]

It is serious though to the victim isn't it? and I doubt it will be investigated in any depth until it becomes a serious issue.

Well I suppose, but I'm sure even the victim of something like this could see that..for example..an assault case was more serious and deserving of police time?

Its a shame its gotta be one or the other and our police force isnt really equipped to deal with all crime that they should due to cuts and stuff, but such is life :bored:

[Cherie]

Are Venables and Thompson in or out of jail at the moment?

[Kazanne]

Are Venables and Thompson in or out of jail at the moment?

They are out Cherie:bawling:

[Kizzy]

Well I suppose, but I'm sure even the victim of something like this could see that..for example..an assault case was more serious and deserving of police time?

Its a shame its gotta be one or the other and our police force isnt really equipped to deal with all crime that they should due to cuts and stuff, but such is life :bored:

No I don't see that, and it thankfully doesn't work like that.

[joeysteele]

Well for me anyone who can set out to cause more grief to those who are still mourning and haunted by this absolutely horrific and sick murder of James should at the very least be forced to be mentally assessed.
Something must be really sick about them and if it isn't just pure rottenness then it must be a case of mental issues.

Jamie's parents, have had more than enough to deal with as to James murderers with their new identities and one of them committing crimes again.
His Mother,who has fought long and hard as to this case in order to try to deal with her grief should not have this sick individual plastering nonsense like this 'deliberately' on the internet in any form.

[Cherie]

They are out Cherie:bawling:

It may be that any unusual activity towards the family has to be followed up and rightly so, taxes are spent on alot worse

[Kazanne]

Well for me anyone who can set out to cause more grief to those who are still mourning and haunted by this absolutely horrific and sick murder of James should at the very least be forced to be mentally assessed.
Something must be really sick about them and if it isn't just pure rottenness then it must be a case of mental issues.

Jamie's parents, have had more than enough to deal with as to James murderers with their new identities and one of them committing crimes again.
His Mother,who has fought long and hard as to this case in order to try to deal with her grief should not have this sick individual plastering nonsense like this 'deliberately' on the internet in any form.

Well said Joey,totally agree:xyxwave:

[Vicky.]

No I don't see that, and it thankfully doesn't work like that.

But it would..if the internet was policed in the way that people seem to want it to be. Its just not fair to cherry pick cases to prosecute for...and there are hundreds of death threats and stuff made everyday on twitter and such. We do not have enough police to handle a caseload like that,

[Vicky.]

Why is venables out again? Didnt he get let out then get done again for child porn? One second chance is enough IMO...too much in some cases.

[Kazanne]

It may be that any unusual activity towards the family has to be followed up and rightly so, taxes are spent on alot worse

They are (supposed)to be on a life monitor,but that wasn't very effective in the case of Venables was it?

[Jake.]

No I don't see that, and it thankfully doesn't work like that.

You don't think that, say somebody who was being beaten to death should be seen quicker?

[Kazanne]

Why is venables out again? Didnt he get let out then get done again for child porn? One second chance is enough IMO...too much in some cases.

He's been out a while Vicky,wonder how much we are paying for yet ANOTHER new identity.

[Vicky.]

He's been out a while Vicky,wonder how much we are paying for yet ANOTHER new identity.

Thats an absolute disgrace. Wonder how many more chances the sick **** will get.

[Jake.]

He's been out a while Vicky,wonder how much we are paying for yet ANOTHER new identity.

Disgusting

[Kizzy]

But it would..if the internet was policed in the way that people seem to want it to be. Its just not fair to cherry pick cases to prosecute for...and there are hundreds of death threats and stuff made everyday on twitter and such. We do not have enough police to handle a caseload like that,

It's not acceptable and shouldn't be tolerated. It will be dealt with due to weight of evidence same as any case I guess.

[Kazanne]

Thats an absolute disgrace. Wonder how many more chances the sick **** will get.

It beggars belief really how those two scum bags have been protected.

[Tom4784]

In this case I don't want a free internet.. If the price is people are abused and harassed without redress by some jumped up geek banging away on his keyboard spouting their mouth off to those grieving then I say regulate the hell out of it and expose them all.

You'd be willing to give up a freedom just to prevent an EXTREME minority from spouting some minor abuse? I pity you because you're willing to give up your rights for absolutely nothing.

[Kizzy]

You don't think that, say somebody who was being beaten to death should be seen quicker?

It doesn't work like that jake, the police don't cherrypick on a sliding scale of presumed severity of crime, if there is evidence then there is an investigation.

[Jake.]

It doesn't work like that jake, the police don't cherrypick on a sliding scale of presumed severity of crime, if there is evidence then there is an investigation.

I wasn't questioning how it worked

[Kizzy]

You'd be willing to give up a freedom just to prevent an EXTREME minority from spouting some minor abuse? I pity you because you're willing to give up your rights for absolutely nothing.

I pity you dezzy if you can't comprehend that it's important to take ALL crime as seriously if it is impacting significantly on a persons life?
Why presume it was minor abuse, the EXTREME minority who feel it's acceptable to do that will have to realise that they can't abuse people over any medium.

[Kizzy]

I wasn't questioning how it worked

It seemed you were, there have been cases recently of people being abused online and then targeted in person it's only right that it's made a priority to address this.

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/jul/27/twitter-trolls-threats-bank-notes-austen
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-life/10555356/Twitter-trolls-women-are-abusers-too-and-we-ignore-them-at-our-peril.html

[Jack_]

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of people being arrested for things they say on Twitter and actually that's moreso because of the selective enforcement, you simply can't prosecute all of them and that to me is unfair and leads to people that get media coverage being given preference over others so the police can make themselves look like they're tackling the issue. Not acceptable IMO

This person and the people that do these things are arseholes but block buttons exist for a reason and quite often the people that do these things are torn apart by randomers that see the abuse anyway

Once we start going down the route of prosecuting people for trolling online then the internet will become a very watered down, censored place and the same people that are crying and wailing for them to be jailed will in a few years be posting about how concerned they are about their civil liberties being taken away under the guise of protection from a few trolls on Twitter.

[Jessica.]

Once we start going down the route of prosecuting people for trolling online then the internet will become a very watered down, censored place and the same people that are crying and wailing for them to be jailed will in a few years be posting about how concerned they are about their civil liberties being taken away under the guise of protection from a few trolls on Twitter.

I don't think it could be said better than this, censorship has become a huge worry in recent years and cases like this are just leading us towards being controlled online rather than it being a free platform for everyone.

[Kizzy]

I'm not sure I'm comfortable with the idea of people being arrested for things they say on Twitter and actually that's moreso because of the selective enforcement, you simply can't prosecute all of them and that to me is unfair and leads to people that get media coverage being given preference over others so the police can make themselves look like they're tackling the issue. Not acceptable IMO

This person and the people that do these things are arseholes but block buttons exist for a reason and quite often the people that do these things are torn apart by randomers that see the abuse anyway

Once we start going down the route of prosecuting people for trolling online then the internet will become a very watered down, censored place and the same people that are crying and wailing for them to be jailed will in a few years be posting about how concerned they are about their civil liberties being taken away under the guise of protection from a few trolls on Twitter.

You can't systematically verbally assault and harass people can you, So why is that accepted online? As said recently the internet is relatively new therefore it's going to be subject to regulation and laws amended to include it into the current legislation to protect people from abuse.

[Kizzy]

I don't think it could be said better than this, censorship has become a huge worry in recent years and cases like this are just leading us towards being controlled online rather than it being a free platform for everyone.

The internet is not a playground is it?

[James]

Reading the news article I would say it is completely right that the police take action in this case.

What I said previously, in other threads, on the general topic:

There has to be some limits on freedom-of-speech otherwise things like bullying and defamation would be tolerated.

The trouble with the Internet / social media / online communities etc. is there's too many people thinking they can post things without ever having to be held responsible for them. (Incidentally, I think that was a major contributing factor to the recent riots as well).

Banning from Facebook and using ignore facilities isn't very effective because users just get around it by creating new identities. It needs stronger action to show that actions like this have consequences.

[Josy]

I disagree that what this man done was 'Freedom of Speech' he intentionally created that twitter account with the sole purpose of inflicting abuse on this family.

If anything what this idiot done would be described in law as nearer to a 'hate' speech which is speech, gesture, conduct or writing, that disparages or intimidates or incites violence etc

But even calling it any kind of speech is reaching IMO, he set out to do one thing and that was to deliberately cause distress to the child's mother and family.

I don't see how censorship comes into at all, if he was giving his opinion on something then fair enough I could understand the freedom of speech/censorship argument but no he was just being a 100% nasty git for the sake of causing hurt to others.

[Tom4784]

I disagree that what this man done was 'Freedom of Speech' he intentionally created that twitter account with the sole purpose of inflicting abuse on this family.

If anything what this idiot done would be described in law as nearer to a 'hate' speech which is speech, gesture, conduct or writing, that disparages or intimidates or incites violence etc

But even calling it any kind of speech is reaching IMO, he set out to do one thing and that was to deliberately cause distress to the child's mother and family.

I don't see how censorship comes into at all, if he was giving his opinion on something then fair enough I could understand the freedom of speech/censorship argument but no he was just being a 100% nasty git for the sake of causing hurt to others.

Freedom of Speech is kind of an all or nothing deal. You either accept all of it or you accept nothing and I'd rather have all of it and accept some of the bad than allow the internet to be policed and slowly censored because that's what will eventually happen. If you give someone an inch like that then they'll end up taking a mile.

At the end of the day when it comes to Freedom of Speech, the good will always outweigh the bad and there's no defending or endorsing the fact that police resources was wasted on what should have been an Admin issue.

[Tom4784]

I have given my opinion over several posts dezzy, I don't agree with your freedom of speech angle that's all.
The fact you are so willing to defend these individuals offends me so we both disappoint one another it seems.
Why must the internet remain a place that is a breeding ground for those who choose to abuse people?

You should actually try reading my posts for once Kizzy instead of getting caught up on one sentence and ignoring the rest, I've not said a single thing all thread to defend the man in question. Everything I've said has been against the fact that the police was bought in to handle on what should have been an admin issue. You would know that if you actually read what I was saying.

The internet isn't a breeding ground for abuse, you're just letting yourself believe that because you are buying into the stories that are highlighting a small minority. The fact that it's a vocal minority doesn't change the fact that it's still a minority. In the long run they affect very little and wasting police time when there's actual crimes to be dealt with is just plain dumb.

[Kizzy]

You should actually try reading my posts for once Kizzy instead of getting caught up on one sentence and ignoring the rest, I've not said a single thing all thread to defend the man in question. Everything I've said has been against the fact that the police was bought in to handle on what should have been an admin issue. You would know that if you actually read what I was saying.

The internet isn't a breeding ground for abuse, you're just letting yourself believe that because you are buying into the stories that are highlighting a small minority. The fact that it's a vocal minority doesn't change the fact that it's still a minority. In the long run they affect very little and wasting police time when there's actual crimes to be dealt with is just plain dumb.

I did read it,stop trying to pick me up on things please due to the fact I don't share your view.
I disagree with your admin solving what is a police matter, that's the point.
It may be a small minority but if it stops the rot then that is good in MY eyes. The harassment people suffer in person or over the phone is accepted as abuse why is the internet any different?
My point is not with freedom of speech it's with abuse wherever it occurs.

[Jessica.]

If everything that might offend someone was removed from the internet, then the internet as we know it would not exist. The main point that people have been trying to make is that trolls can be reported to website admin and blocked so that they never bother you again. it's so simple to understand, more saddos will probably use this fake news as a way to gain attention for themselves too, it's an endless cycle, the more attention you give the trolls the worse they get. On that note, my opinion doesn't seem to be getting anywhere in this thread so I'm going to stop now.

[Kizzy]

If you had the same scenario as this but over the phone would you contact your phone provider or the police?

[Jessica.]

If you had the same scenario as this but over the phone would you contact your phone provider or the police?

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

[michael21]

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

what if there send you letters

[GypsyGoth]

Maybe if this guy receives a prison sentence it might stop the next few internet trolls who think it might be a good idea to harass a bereaved family member.

I do hope he gets locked up and I'm glad the police have taken it seriously.

[Kizzy]

My father is dead, if someone rang me pretending to be his ghost I would not think it was a crime, I would know it's a desperate person looking for a reaction. I would do the obvious thing and block the number, I'd hear no more from them and all would be well.

my point was it's against the law (Malicious Communications Act 1993) nobody should have to put up with it.

[Marsh.]

It's not really freedom of speech.

If he was sending hateful letters through the post or shouting abuse at her in the street, would that be classed as freedom of speech? No, he'd be done for harassment.

Harassment on the internet should be taken just as seriously.

It's not about removing everything offensive from the internet but prosecuting those who are deliberately targeting people to the point it is having an effect.

[Kizzy]

it's got nothing to do with 'freedom of speech' at all either really, you can't argue that a person has more right to abuse someone than another has to be protected from abuse.

[Kizzy]

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

[Firewire]

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

Calling someone a tart is a punishable crime?

[Kizzy]

Calling someone a tart is a punishable crime?

I'm discussing the issue raised by the OP not the scenario dezzy described.

[Tom4784]

It is a crime, that's my point, whether or not you think it's not as important as other crimes is irrelevant.

It's barely a crime, the 'laws' regarding online abuse are defined loosely and are rarely enforced outside of the occasional high profile case that's essentially a performance by the justice system for the media.

It's impossible to enforce properly which is why it isn't enforced on a typical basis and why (I'm repeating myself AGAIN) Admins should take care of online abuse problems since it'll get taken care of faster without wasting taxpayer money.

You can't really fix the flawed online laws without potentially opening them up for abuse by the powers that be and it's not practical to enforce them on a regular basis so they are pointless. A better law would be that websites like Twitter must have an Admin team that's up to snuff to deal with Abuse issues. It would allow websites to police themselves without wasting Police time.

[Kizzy]

There's no barely about it it is a crime, if twitter was capable of policing itself then why isn't it? There have been 100s of cases of teen suicide, death and rape threats to women, racial abuse and attacks on the families of deceased children as highlighted here by kazanne.
In my opinion regulation is well overdue.

[Ninastar]

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.

[Ammi]

..I'm so sorry to hear about your sister Caitlin...it is being covered more at schools now and starting at primary school level with parents included...unfortunately we ourselves don't get a very good response/participation from parents but I hope that will change in the future...

[Ninastar]

..I'm so sorry to hear about your sister Caitlin...it is being covered more at schools now and starting at primary school level with parents included...unfortunately we ourselves don't get a very good response/participation from parents but I hope that will change in the future...

Thanks ammi

But yeah I think that is exactly one of the problems. Parents should care about protecting their kids from the Internet. I remember when I wasn't allowed on the computer unless a parent was in the room. I hardly ever see that now.

[Kizzy]

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.


I hope she can move on from this, and I hope the cyberbully is exposed and convicted in your case and in the case in the OP too.

[joeysteele]

I disagree that what this man done was 'Freedom of Speech' he intentionally created that twitter account with the sole purpose of inflicting abuse on this family.

If anything what this idiot done would be described in law as nearer to a 'hate' speech which is speech, gesture, conduct or writing, that disparages or intimidates or incites violence etc

But even calling it any kind of speech is reaching IMO, he set out to do one thing and that was to deliberately cause distress to the child's mother and family.

I don't see how censorship comes into at all, if he was giving his opinion on something then fair enough I could understand the freedom of speech/censorship argument but no he was just being a 100% nasty git for the sake of causing hurt to others.

Absolutely right, I am not in favour of internet censorship but when people are found to be doing things like this,they should face the consequences for their deliberate actions.
I try to imagine these things in the context of what if it was my child or nephew or niece had been taken,tortured and murdered and left to rot,then some daft cracker comes along and sets up something saying it is the ghost/spirit of the murdered child.
I would really be going off it and demanding action.

How sick is that,it should be a crime and he should be punished,in fact he shouldn't be allowed on the internet again.
The worst part of this he is over 60, we are not even talking about a child/teen here.

If something is reported to the police, they generally have to investigate, if they can find something to charge someone with then so be it and I hope they do in this case.
This person is vile to prey on peoples grief and the torment they have already suffered since little Jamie's horrific and despicable murder.

I would have not an ounce of sympathy for this idiot that set out deliberately to bring more distress to James family.

[thesheriff443]

after a really really tough week at home here, I can give an honest and real response to this.

My sister has been cyber bullied over the past few days and has gotten very down because of it. We're having her sectioned at a hospital down south because she's been very effected by what they said. They mentioned things like finding out about where she lives and killing her/her family, mentioning and making fun of our dead cat (like another member on here did to me...) and so much worse. We are all exhausted. It's been so tough seeing someone so distressed.

Now I read an article like this and honestly? You shouldn't get arrested for saying what you 'think'

These people do it to cause a big fuss. They absolutely love the attention of upsetting/pissing people off. We have a few of them here on tibb. My ignore list has never been so full...

Do I think there is a difference between cyberbulling and trolling on twitter?

Yes, a massive one. We are getting the police involved with our issue because threats are being made. Just like if they were in real life.

If this twitter was making death threats or something similar, then I could totally understand the arrest. He's just a loser with no life trying to stir up trouble.

I do think there should be more regulation and there should be classes given to all schools/colleges/youth clubs whatever and kids need to be told about what these people are really trying to do (cause a reaction).

Ignoring is the way forward.

So many people don't realise until they actually grow up that if someone is constantly harassing you, you just need to totally ignore it. Especially on the internet where it's even more possible to block someone from contacting you.

I can totally understand if James' mum was upset by the twitter account. But I'm sure she's learnt by now to ignore it. Whatever this total **** may be, he shouldn't get arrested for being a dick.

you might as well say your sister should of ignored it!

abuse on the internet is abuse, regardless of what site it is on.

[Cherie]

I really don't understand the whole idea of blocking someone like this, it's fine to block someone if they annoy you, and you can't bear to read their posts, but blocking someone who has intentionally gone out of their way to harass you by making an account that purports to be your dead child deserves reporting, blocking them is akin to putting your hands over your ears and singing la la la, hoping it will all go away.

[joeysteele]

I really don't understand the whole idea of blocking someone like this, it's fine to block someone if they annoy you, and you can't bear to read their posts, but blocking someone who has intentionally gone out of their way to harass you by making an account that purports to be your dead child deserves reporting, blocking them is akin to putting your hands over your ears and singing la la la, hoping it will all go away.

Great post and the strongest points too.

[Kate!]

As someone who's suffered internet 'bullying' or abuse (and I'm not raking stuff up, I thought hard about whether to even reply to this thread) or whatever label you want to put on it, it's completely unacceptable and as Ninastar said it can have long term effects. I've managed to put what happened in my case to the back of my mind but it'll always be there and for those who say oh for gods sake blah blah blah, just stop and take a step back and think.... Would I like it if it happened to me? Maybe it would just roll off your back, everyone's emotional makeup is different and if anything someone does or says online affects you then it's unacceptable and holding people to account for their actions is necessary, it might just make people think twice :shrug:

However I don't think realistically there are the resources to deal with everything, so regulation should be much tighter IMO. It'll never be completely stamped out but this world is a bad enough place as it is, due to all the crazy free speech bollocks and do gooding etc etc. I'd have put Jamie Bulgers killers down like animals never mind giving the bastards new identities! This particular case is disgusting, appalls me.

But not every little thing (there's so much it would be impossible) can be dealt with by the police, I do think it should be btw, but realistically it can't happen. Hence my point earlier that the internet should be censored. And strictly. Every little helps.

Finally, I'll just say it's the people who are made to feel any level of distress as a result of this sort of behaviour who are most important and the message needs to be sent out that it's just not on. The level of punishment should fit the crime though to be fair, if someone gets called a slag or dickhead for example then it is a bit crazy to even think of trying to stamp all that out. Impossible. It's a case of 'where do we draw the line? At what level SHOULD there be police involvement?' That's a matter of personal opinion and something we are all going to feel differently on just like anything really, some people will say live and let live, some will say stamp it out at all costs, and other schools of thought.

I don't like the world we live in today, not all 'progress' is good, in a lot of ways the simple life seems a better way to live. Everything is about the pursuit of pleasure and fun, old fashioned values have disappeared down the drain. There's an 'I'm alright Jack' mentality these days, but there are still an awful lot of good people out there so hope is not lost.

Wow lol, I've wrote a flipping essay. I'll stop. :)

Peace and love tibbers :love:

#hippychick

[Nedusa]

I am torn on this issue as part of me would like to see this deranged idiot arrested and prosecuted maybe even given a custodial sentence to act as a deterrent to stop this kind of vicious internet trolling.

On the other hand we cannot use the Police force to police the internet it simply isn't practicable. The sheer number of loonies and nutcases out there who will say the most hateful and nasty things make it nigh on impossible for all of them to be prosecuted in the normal manner.

We have to develop ways to stop this type of trolling by clever use of technology with better filters and early detection of this type of abuse.

So much as I hate to admit it No I would not want precious Police resources used to investigate this type of crime.

[joeysteele]

Wow calling someone a ridiculous human being and their point of view moronic, not to mention calling another member a guard dog earllier in the thread, you really do love your freedom of speech don't you!

It is a crime to take or use someone elses identity however,it should be in all cases,of those living and dead this person set out to deliberately use a dead childs identity for some really twisted sick purpose.

Were someone say to claim benefits in the name and identity of a dead person, they would be prosecuted,why should this be any different.
To create something and use someone elses name/identity to do so and then harrass and cause intentional distress to the persons family.

This person is beneath contempt for me, to prey on the dead and cause any extra torment to their loved ones living.
I tell you, if that is not a crime then it should be.

[Kazanne]

Rather 'telling' imo the people who want free speech at ANY cost are the ones throwing insults.Go figure

[Cherie]

It is a crime to take or use someone elses identity however,it should be in all cases,of those living and dead this person set out to deliberately use a dead childs identity for some really twisted sick purpose.

Were someone say to claim benefits in the name and identity of a dead person, they would be prosecuted,why should this be any different.
To create something and use someone elses name/identity to do so and then harrass and cause intentional distress to the persons family.

This person is beneath contempt for me, to prey on the dead and cause any extra torment to their loved ones living.
I tell you, if that is not a crime then it should be.


Nicely put Joey, there are levels of crime, of course someone who calls someone else a dickhead on a forum shouldn't be prosecuted but a person who actually goes out of their way to cause distress, who knows what else is going on in their sick minds and when fantasy will play out into reality. A few short sharp examples won't go amiss, just like this one, and yes it probably is a waste of police time and resources but then where do we draw the line, do we ignore anti social behaviour on our streets, who is calling for resources to be pulled from that particular crime?

A Twitter troll who delighted in the fatal stabbing of teacher Ann Maguire has been jailed for eight weeks.

In the wake of Mrs Maguire's death, Robert Riley bragged to his followers he would not just have killed Mrs Maguire but "all the bastard teachers" at Corpus Christi School in Leeds.

The jobless 42-year-old from Cwmavon, Port Talbot, also posted a series of racist tweets claiming Nazi death camp Auschwitz was a "health spa" and suggesting that Muslim babies should be drowned.

Despite a Twitter backlash, Riley, who used the handle @johnriley001, initially revelled in his new found notoriety, boasting that he had the "biggest gob this side of the River Severn".

However, the ex-junkie cut a more forlorn figure when appeared before Swansea magistrates today.

After pleading guilty to one charge of sending a grossly offensive message via a public communications network, Riley begged for leniency.

However, chairwoman of the bench Georgina Scannell voiced her disgust and said she was left with no choice but to send the defendant straight to jail.

[Nedusa]

It is a crime to take or use someone elses identity however,it should be in all cases,of those living and dead this person set out to deliberately use a dead childs identity for some really twisted sick purpose.

Were someone say to claim benefits in the name and identity of a dead person, they would be prosecuted,why should this be any different.
To create something and use someone elses name/identity to do so and then harrass and cause intentional distress to the persons family.

This person is beneath contempt for me, to prey on the dead and cause any extra torment to their loved ones living.
I tell you, if that is not a crime then it should be.


We cannot stop people from thinking whatever filth their diseased minds happen to conjure up. In the past these lunatics could remain unseen and unheard harming no one in reality. but now thanks to the Internet and social media sites like FB and Twitter they can spread their vile hatespeech and cause grave offence to other people.

So the crime here is the ease with which they can spread their poison to many many other people, this is the area that we need to address. We must make technology cleverer which in turn makes people more accountable for their inputs. Filters and barriers and new forms of monitoring must be developed which to a degree stop this type of hatespeech or at least limit it's reach.

I don't have the answer and there are no easy fixes as Internet censorship is not the answer and freedom of speech must be protected at all costs.

Maybe having deranged individuals spouting this type of hate filled vitriol is a sad price we have to pay.

[Cherie]

We cannot stop people from thinking whatever filth their diseased minds happen to conjure up. In the past these lunatics could remain unseen and unheard harming no one in reality. but now thanks to the Internet and social media sites like FB and Twitter they can spread their vile hatespeech and cause grave offence to other people.

So the crime here is the ease with which they can spread their poison to many many other people, this is the area that we need to address. We must make technology cleverer which in turn makes people more accountable for their inputs. Filters and barriers and new forms of monitoring must be developed which to a degree stop this type of hatespeech or at least limit it's reach.

I don't have the answer and there are no easy fixes as Internet censorship is not the answer and freedom of speech must be protected at all costs.

Maybe having deranged individuals spouting this type of hate filled vitriol is a sad price we have to pay.


Yes we must and while we are waiting for this to happen I think it is up to each individual to assess the level of reporting they are comfortable with. Who knows maybe Denise contacted Twitter and they suggested under the circumstance involving the police we don't know the full story here.

[Nedusa]

Nicely put Joey, there are levels of crime, of course someone who calls someone else a dickhead on a forum shouldn't be prosecuted but a person who actually goes out of their way to cause distress, who knows what else is going on in their sick minds and when fantasy will play out into reality. A few short sharp examples won't go amiss, just like this one, and yes it probably is a waste of police time and resources but then where do we draw the line, do we ignore anti social behaviour on our streets, who is calling for resources to be pulled from that particular crime?

A Twitter troll who delighted in the fatal stabbing of teacher Ann Maguire has been jailed for eight weeks.

In the wake of Mrs Maguire's death, Robert Riley bragged to his followers he would not just have killed Mrs Maguire but "all the bastard teachers" at Corpus Christi School in Leeds.

The jobless 42-year-old from Cwmavon, Port Talbot, also posted a series of racist tweets claiming Nazi death camp Auschwitz was a "health spa" and suggesting that Muslim babies should be drowned.

Despite a Twitter backlash, Riley, who used the handle @johnriley001, initially revelled in his new found notoriety, boasting that he had the "biggest gob this side of the River Severn".

However, the ex-junkie cut a more forlorn figure when appeared before Swansea magistrates today.

After pleading guilty to one charge of sending a grossly offensive message via a public communications network, Riley begged for leniency.

However, chairwoman of the bench Georgina Scannell voiced her disgust and said she was left with no choice but to send the defendant straight to jail.

Interesting that this person was prosecuted and convicted and imprisoned for his hateful words yet as we are seeing not everyone is prosecuted by the police for this type of hatespeech.

So my question is........who decides what is abhorrent enough to constitute actual prosecution by the police ?

where is the bar set, is it speech that is racist,sexist,religious hatred, ageist ?

Is it only hatespeech that makes it to the national press or pricks the conscience of the nation ie a topical news story.

Who decides.

[Cherie]

Interesting that this person was prosecuted and convicted and imprisoned for his hateful words yet as we are seeing not everyone is prosecuted by the police for this type of hatespeech.

So my question is........who decides what is abhorrent enough to constitute actual prosecution by the police ?

where is the bar set, is it speech that is racist,sexist,religious hatred, ageist ?

Is it only hatespeech that makes it to the national press or pricks the conscience of the nation ie a topical news story.

Who decides.

Is this not the situation in every court room though, who decides what punishment enough? are we not always talking about how lenient some sentences are? and how OTT others seem in comparision, this is the system we have, these twitter arrests may not be isolated cases, some will make the headlines I'm sure there are many more that we don't hear about just like any other crime.

[Tom4784]

There's no barely about it it is a crime, if twitter was capable of policing itself then why isn't it? There have been 100s of cases of teen suicide, death and rape threats to women, racial abuse and attacks on the families of deceased children as highlighted here by kazanne.
In my opinion regulation is well overdue.

How do you know it's not capable of policing itself? You're making judgements from fringe incidents and the worst possible scenarios like they are common occurrences. The Media highlights stories like this to make them seem more common than they actually are. These trolls blow hot air on the internet because they can but ultimately that's all it is.

I play a game called League of Legends and it's an online game where you are put into teams with other players and it's the most toxic game I've ever played. It's rare to find a game where there isn't at least one person spouting venom at the rest of their team or at the enemy. Over my time playing that game I've been told to die of cancer, that I should be raped and have my throat slit afterwards and that the same thing should happen to any kids I may have, tonnes of really awful stuff. Would I ever consider going to the police over any of it? No because that's a waste of time and every one of these players was easily dealt with by muting them and reporting them after the game.

Online abuse can only affect you if you let it. Of course issues of Cyber Bullying can be different since it's more often than not related to real life, Cyber Bullies are often people you know in real life.

[Cherie]

How do you know it's not capable of policing itself? You're making judgements from fringe incidents and the worst possible scenarios like they are common occurrences. The Media highlights stories like this to make them seem more common than they actually are. These trolls blow hot air on the internet because they can but ultimately that's all it is.

I play a game called League of Legends and it's an online game where you are put into teams with other players and it's the most toxic game I've ever played. It's rare to find a game where there isn't at least one person spouting venom at the rest of their team or at the enemy. Over my time playing that game I've been told to die of cancer, that I should be raped and have my throat slit afterwards and that the same thing should happen to any kids I may have, tonnes of really awful stuff. Would I ever consider going to the police over any of it? No because that's a waste of time and every one of these players was easily dealt with by muting them and reporting them after the game.

Online abuse can only affect you if you let it. Of course issues of Cyber Bullying can be different since it's more often than not related to real life, Cyber Bullies are often people you know in real life.

That is your choice you know by involving yourself in this game that the atmosphere may be toxic and they are not referencing any specifics in your life just your random everyday rape threats :umm2:

[Kazanne]

That is your choice you know by involving yourself in this game that the atmosphere may be toxic and they are not referencing any specifics in your life just your random everyday rape threats :umm2:

I would also add,real life is NOT a game.

[RichardG]

Personally I think that general one off abusive comments thrown at people should only be dealt with by twitter. People have nasty comments thrown at them all the time be it in the playground or workplace, no it's not nice but that's life unfortunately and at least online you can block the person and try to forget about it.

However, it's when people go to the extent of making accounts dedicated entirely to abusing someone, such as in the case in the OP, or the abuse is continuous, that I think it becomes a problem and should be dealt with by the police... though only if the victim is genuinely distressed by it, and reports the issue themselves. We're all different, we can't all cope with things the same. Person A might have a nasty account made about them and be able to easily block it and move on, whilst person B might be so distressed that they harm themselves or kill themselves over it. Extreme? No, it happens sometimes. Two people at my college killed themselves a few months ago over cyber bullying. Sure, it was done by people they know as opposed to a stranger as is the case in the OP, but the premise was the same as people made fake accounts about them too and it shows how we're not all super strong and can easily cope with things by blocking it out of our lives.

If anything, the guy in the OP is clearly a horrible person so regardless of whether people think his arrest was justified not, some time in jail wouldn't do him any harm I think!

[Tom4784]

That is your choice you know by involving yourself in this game that the atmosphere may be toxic and they are not referencing any specifics in your life just your random everyday rape threats :umm2:

You could say the exact same thing for Twitter. Abuse can be random and impersonal and abuse from people comes with the territory of being a celebrity or a notable person. it occured before Twitter and it's not nothing new except that it's easier to stop it online.

Online abuse and abuse in real life is not the same, if someone was up in your face in real life you'd be hard pressed to simply turn the other cheek but the opposite is true online. The most simple and easiest thing you can do to prevent abuse online is to block and report the abusers. Anything else is counter productive and time consuming in comparison.

[RichardG]

It's not really freedom of speech.

If he was sending hateful letters through the post or shouting abuse at her in the street, would that be classed as freedom of speech? No, he'd be done for harassment.

Harassment on the internet should be taken just as seriously.

It's not about removing everything offensive from the internet but prosecuting those who are deliberately targeting people to the point it is having an effect.

I'd also agree with this. When I think of free speech I think of people having the right to voice their political opinions, to speak out against news stories, to be able to live their lives comfortably without fear of prosecution. I don't think of the local yob harassing a poor woman whose son was killed and being able to easily get away with it.

[Tom4784]

I would also add,real life is NOT a game.

They are both online platforms with social elements. The fact that one is focused around a game doesn't really make much of a difference if the potential abuse an average person could receive is the same.

[Cherie]

You could say the exact same thing for Twitter. Abuse can be random and impersonal and abuse from people comes with the territory of being a celebrity or a notable person. it occured before Twitter and it's not nothing new except that it's easier to stop it online.

Online abuse and abuse in real life is not the same, if someone was up in your face in real life you'd be hard pressed to simply turn the other cheek but the opposite is true online. The most simple and easiest thing you can do to prevent abuse online is to block and report the abusers. Anything else is counter productive and time consuming in comparison.

Isn't it difficult for the Bulger family or any family with a media profile to identify who are just trolls and who are people they know though? who is a threat and who isn't?

[Tom4784]

Isn't it difficult for the Bulger family or any family with a media profile to identify who are just trolls and who are people they know though? who is a threat and who isn't?

It was a twitter account pretending to be a ghost, it obviously wasn't a threat to the family's safety, Completely moronic and vile? yes but not something that should have been handled by the police.

It's fairly easy to tell which are the real threats and which are trolls. From what I understand of this twitter account there were no threats delivered, just cruel jokes.

[Cherie]

It was a twitter account pretending to be a ghost, it obviously wasn't a threat to the family's safety, Completely moronic and vile? yes but not something that should have been handled by the police.

It's fairly easy to tell which are the real threats and which are trolls. From what I understand of this twitter account there were no threats delivered, just cruel jokes.

We don't know what threats the family have received in the past though. I can't blame the Bulger family for reacting the way they have in this situation.

[Tom4784]

We don't know what threats the family have received in the past though. I can't blame the Bulger family for reacting the way they have in this situation.

If we don't know then we can't use it as an argument for or against so discussing possibilities is useless for both sides.

The article doesn't mention if the family got the police involved, from the sounds of things the mother acknowledged the abuse and then ignored it and the police intervention came from the attention it received.

The mother has the right idea about meeting with the Twitter execs, you can't expect the police to get involved in every online dispute. Twitter must police itself.

[Cherie]

If we don't know then we can't use it as an argument for or against so discussing possibilities is useless for both sides.

The article doesn't mention if the family got the police involved, from the sounds of things the mother acknowledged the abuse and then ignored it and the police intervention came from the attention it received.

The mother has the right idea about meeting with the Twitter execs, you can't expect the police to get involved in every online dispute. Twitter must police itself.

I don't think anyone on this thread has advocated for the police getting involved in EVERY Twitter dispute, but there are some which the moderators are not equipped to deal with and shouldn't be expected to either.

[Tom4784]

[/B]

I don't think anyone on this thread has advocated for the police getting involved in EVERY Twitter dispute, but there are some which the moderators are not equipped to deal with and shouldn't be expected to either.

Those incidents are incredibly rare, like I've said since early on in the topic, the police should only get involved if there's an actual serious threat involved. Getting involved with this troll was just a way of scoring some good press for the police with the easily led and could have easily been dealt with by an Admin. It was just needless.

[Nedusa]

[/B]

I don't think anyone on this thread has advocated for the police getting involved in EVERY Twitter dispute, but there are some which the moderators are not equipped to deal with and shouldn't be expected to either.

I agree, but it's knowing where to draw the line from ignore to inform the police. There is no set of rules which the Administrators/Moderators can use as a go by. Each case has to be judged on it's own unique nastiness and perhaps the degree or depths the person has gone to, to cause such abuse to other individuals.

[Cherie]

Those incidents are incredibly rare, like I've said since early on in the topic, the police should only get involved if there's an actual serious threat involved. Getting involved with this troll was just a way of scoring some good press for the police with the easily led and could have easily been dealt with by an Admin. It was just needless.

It's not needless if it makes idiots think twice, in fact it is money well spent.

[Toy Soldier]

This man was clearly looking for attention and perhaps infamy and he got it. This will not put off trolls... Because they are LOOKING for that reaction. It will only encourage them.

The worst outcome for this man would be to have to been ignored completely.

But people will never learn, they will continue to whip up hysteria, and the tabloid press will continue to lap it up. Do you think that the gutter rag journalists are "outraged" by this man's actions? I highly doubt it, it's delicious fodder for the slobbering hounds that want a little child murder gossip to go with their morning coffee.

The Bulger case has been an undignified media circus for well over a decade. A tabloid horror story, by now verging on national folklore. Are we really surprised that things like this happen? The real horror of what happened to that boy was lost in a cloud of pop culture gore years ago. Along with poor Maddie, and countless others. You can blame the papers and the crass public who adore tragedy for the reality disconnect that affects these "trolls". Until we sort out THAT cesspool, there will be a never ending parade and incidents like this. There are a million other trolls where this guy came from.

[Kazanne]

This man was clearly looking for attention and perhaps infamy and he got it. This will not put off trolls... Because they are LOOKING for that reaction. It will only encourage them.

The worst outcome for this man would be to have to been ignored completely.

But people will never learn, they will continue to whip up hysteria, and the tabloid press will continue to lap it up. Do you think that the gutter rag journalists are "outraged" by this man's actions? I highly doubt it, it's delicious fodder for the slobbering hounds that want a little child murder gossip to go with their morning coffee.

The Bulger case has been an undignified media circus for well over a decade. A tabloid horror story, by now verging on national folklore. Are we really surprised that things like this happen? The real horror of what happened to that boy was lost in a cloud of pop culture gore years ago. Along with poor Maddie, and countless others. You can blame the papers and the crass public who adore tragedy for the reality disconnect that affects these "trolls". Until we sort out THAT cesspool, there will be a never ending parade and incidents like this. There are a million other trolls where this guy came from.

it,s certainly NOT folklore for the people involved.

[joeysteele]

It's not needless if it makes idiots think twice, in fact it is money well spent.

Actually I would agree with you totally with that Cherie.

[Cherie]

Actually I would agree with you totally with that Cherie.

Thanks Joey

[smeagol]

think they said on the right stuff today soemthing about one police district srresting 1200 people over internet probs. thats a lot i wonder what the whole country stats are.
so i guess they do regardless of whatever we think anyway. in this case i think its justified. but i bet 1.990 of those others are pointless and wrong

[Toy Soldier]

it,s certainly NOT folklore for the people involved.

I think you missed my point; of course it isn't for the people involved. It's horrific. It's incomprehensible. It shouldn't be (tabloid) folklore, for anyone, but it is, along with so many other horrific stories. And that is what leads to the sort of empathic disconnect that allows / creates these sorts of internet trolls.

The gutter press has a way of turning things that are simply unimaginably awful into a form of entertainment used to sell their rags and ad space. And we wonder why society creates idiots and monsters? Because society is idiotic and monstrous.

[Toy Soldier]

Actually I would agree with you totally with that Cherie.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, I just don't really believe that it DOES make "idiots think twice". In fact, the increased coverage just ensures that there will be another idiot, another day.

[Cherie]

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, I just don't really believe that it DOES make "idiots think twice". In fact, the increased coverage just ensures that there will be another idiot, another day.

Trolls whilst enjoying a reaction are also quite partial to being anonymous, this guys life will never be the same again.

[Kizzy]

How do you know it's not capable of policing itself? You're making judgements from fringe incidents and the worst possible scenarios like they are common occurrences. The Media highlights stories like this to make them seem more common than they actually are. These trolls blow hot air on the internet because they can but ultimately that's all it is.

I play a game called League of Legends and it's an online game where you are put into teams with other players and it's the most toxic game I've ever played. It's rare to find a game where there isn't at least one person spouting venom at the rest of their team or at the enemy. Over my time playing that game I've been told to die of cancer, that I should be raped and have my throat slit afterwards and that the same thing should happen to any kids I may have, tonnes of really awful stuff. Would I ever consider going to the police over any of it? No because that's a waste of time and every one of these players was easily dealt with by muting them and reporting them after the game.

Online abuse can only affect you if you let it. Of course issues of Cyber Bullying can be different since it's more often than not related to real life, Cyber Bullies are often people you know in real life.

If it was why are there calls for regulation, it would simply introduce strategies to combat abuse without the need for intervention?
Whatever game you play that is not relevant here is's like saying you were in a boxing match and someone hit you isn't it? not the same as being punched by a stranger as you go about your business.
It's quite blase to suggest that there is a choice to be made whether or not an incident impacts on your life or not, having been a victim of a troll I can say it's not always handled satisfactorily imo.

[Kizzy]

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, I just don't really believe that it DOES make "idiots think twice". In fact, the increased coverage just ensures that there will be another idiot, another day.

I disagree they thrive on the anonymity that is their only power... remove that and they are powerless.

[Toy Soldier]

Trolls whilst enjoying a reaction are also quite partial to being anonymous, this guys life will never be the same again.

I disagree they thrive on the anonymity that is their only power... remove that and they are powerless.

That may once have been true but the evidence would suggest that it's no longer the case... some of the worst (if not THE worst) trolling and cyberbullying these days is out there, very openly, on platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, with personal details (full names, ages, pictures, locations, even details of places of education or employment) available for all to see. I don't think anonymity is hugely important to many "net nasties" these days.

Whilst perceived anonymity may have played a role in this specific example, that in no way contradicts what I was saying. The fact that this has, for want of a better term, "gone viral" online and in the press will only encourage more trolling. It will not hinder future trolls.

[joeysteele]

it,s certainly NOT folklore for the people involved.

I really feel for the Mother of James Kazanne, we have debated this issue a lot on tibb since I joined and I still am sickened and get angry at the way that little lad had his life taken from him.

What his parents and his Mother particularly has been put through dealing with the issues of parole and new identities for the animals that tortured James and then killed him, must be really traumatic.

I think anyone setting out to in any way cause any further distress and to even be raking it up again, especially the way this sick individual did,warrants having the book thrown at him.