Man jailed for cyber bullying

[Spellbound454]

A man has been jailed for posting vicious messages on memorial sites for four teenagers who died in tragic circumstances.

Sean Duffy, 25 from Reading, was told he had caused "untold harm" through his actions - widely known as 'trolling' - and was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison.

Reading Magistrates' Court heard Duffy found out about tragic deaths in the media, before posting malicious comments, images and videos on websites like Facebook and YouTube.

On top of the jail sentence, the court also handed down an Asbo prohibiting him from registering or creating an account on any social network website for five years.

Duffy was found guilty of two charges under the Malicious Communications Act for targeting a Facebook page set up to remember Natasha MacBryde.

news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16068619
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He didnt cause their deaths but he certainly upset grieving people.

What do you think?

[fritz the cat]

18 weeks is a joke, he should have got 5 years, what a disgusting lowlife

[Spellbound454]

When it comes down to "malicious communications" Ive seen a lot worse than this being broadcast

Perhaps the days of the trolls are numbered?

If you are going to use the www you have to be quite tough.

[piropo2]

What a sad and pathetic individual

[jonbel]

What hasn't been mentioned is the fact that this man is autistic. I'm not certain whether this in a severe form or not, but it certainly alters the way the mind works. That doesn't excuse what he did in any way, but autistic people tend to become fixated on certain things and "locked in" mentally. My grandson is autistic, Aspergers syndrome at the top end of the spectrum, and it's distressing to see him struggle as boy in a mans body.

I thought it was sad to see that lad enter the Court alone. By all means he deserves to be punished, but I don't think sending him to prison is the right way to do it. They have difficulty coping with changes in their lives, they find it very unsettling.

[Spellbound454]

They have difficulty coping with changes in their lives, they find it very unsettling.

I'm sure the relatives and friends of these dead teenagers thought his behaviour extremely distressing as well.

He cannot be considered above those he has sought to upset.

Its the first time I have seen anybody gaoled for this type of behaviour though....perhaps he was being made an example of.

[jonbel]

I didn't mean to give the impression that I was condoning his behaviour..........I wasn't, and I do think he needs to be punished in some way but I don't think prison is the right way.

I was trying to point out that those with autism of whatever type don't act in the same way as those who don't have it. It frequently becomes a Mental Health problem.