An unemployed internet troll who posted videos and messages mocking the deaths of teenagers, including a girl who was hit by a train, has been jailed for 18 weeks.
Sean Duffy, 25, of Reading, Berkshire, targeted Facebook tribute pages and posted videos on YouTube taunting the dead and their families. Among his victims was Natasha MacBryde, 15, from Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, who died after being struck by a passenger train in February. Duffy posted comments on her brother's tribute page, including “I fell asleep on the track lolz”, and later created a video called “Tasha the Tank Engine” featuring her face on the fictional engine.
Duffy pleaded guilty to two counts of sending malicious communications relating to Natasha. He also asked for three other cases of Facebook trolling to be taken into consideration. His other victims included Hayley Bates, 16, who died in a car crash, Lauren Drew, 14, who died from an epilepsy attack, and Jordan Cooper, 14, who was stabbed to death. Duffy defaced pictures of Hayley, made a “Happy Mothers Day” video featuring Lauren's coffin, and created a group called “Jordan Cooper in pieces”.
Sentencing Duffy at Reading Magistrates' Court, bench chairman Paul Warren said: “You have caused untold distress to already grieving friends and family. The offences are so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified.” Duffy was also given a five-year antisocial behaviour order banning him from using social networking sites, and must inform police of any internet-enabled phone he obtains.
The court heard Duffy has Asperger's syndrome and lived an isolated life. His lawyer said there was no mitigation. Speaking outside court, Natasha's father, Andrew MacBryde, said: “He is a disturbed individual who caused the maximum of grief for his own satisfaction. I hope his sentencing shows other trollers that they are not anonymous.” Lauren Drew's father, Mark, also spoke of the devastation caused to his family.
