This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-22839359

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
US Facebook death threats troll: Reece Elliott jailed US Facebook death threats troll: Reece Elliott jailed
(35 minutes later)
A British man who threatened to kill 200 people in the US in posts he made under a false name on Facebook, has been jailed for more than two years. A British man who threatened to kill 200 people in the US in posts he made under a false name on Facebook has been jailed for more than two years.
Reece Elliott, 24, of Foss Way, South Shields, made the threat in February on online memorial pages for two Tennessee girls killed in car accidents.Reece Elliott, 24, of Foss Way, South Shields, made the threat in February on online memorial pages for two Tennessee girls killed in car accidents.
About 3,000 pupils in Warren County missed school the next day as a result.About 3,000 pupils in Warren County missed school the next day as a result.
Elliott, who pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court in April, was jailed for two years and four months.Elliott, who pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court in April, was jailed for two years and four months.
The father-of-one admitted one count of making a threat to kill and eight of sending grossly offensive messages. He had been held in custody since his arrest in February. The father of one admitted one count of making a threat to kill and eight of sending grossly offensive messages. He had been held in custody since his arrest in February.
Elliott targeted a tribute page to 17-year-old Caitlin Talley, a popular pupil at Warren County High, who had died in a car accident in October.Elliott targeted a tribute page to 17-year-old Caitlin Talley, a popular pupil at Warren County High, who had died in a car accident in October.
He also posted comments on the tribute site of a 15-year-old girl who cannot be named.He also posted comments on the tribute site of a 15-year-old girl who cannot be named.
Schools 'lockdown'Schools 'lockdown'
Using a false name, he wrote on the RIP Caitlin Talley page: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster.Using a false name, he wrote on the RIP Caitlin Talley page: "My father has three guns. I'm planning on killing him first and putting him in a dumpster.
"Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast. I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself. So you want to tell the deputy, I'm on my way.""Then I'm taking the motor and I'm going in fast. I'm gonna kill hopefully at least 200 before I kill myself. So you want to tell the deputy, I'm on my way."
Using the same pseudonym, Elliott then posted the threats about driving into school. He added: "I'm killing 200 people minimum at school. I will be on CNN."
He said: "I'm killing 200 people minimum at school. I will be on CNN."
At his first appearance at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in February, Gary Buckley, prosecuting, said: "The residents of Warren County and all the people who have access to the Facebook page were clearly concerned.At his first appearance at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court in February, Gary Buckley, prosecuting, said: "The residents of Warren County and all the people who have access to the Facebook page were clearly concerned.
"I am told that the local authority immediately put all the local schools in the area on what was called lockdown."I am told that the local authority immediately put all the local schools in the area on what was called lockdown.
"Because of the hysteria caused, around 3,000 children were kept off school on that specific day.""Because of the hysteria caused, around 3,000 children were kept off school on that specific day."
Sentencing Elliott to 28 months in jail, Judge James Goss QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, told him the offences were driven by "no more than self-indulgent nastiness".Sentencing Elliott to 28 months in jail, Judge James Goss QC, the Recorder of Newcastle, told him the offences were driven by "no more than self-indulgent nastiness".
The judge took into account Elliott's early guilty plea and genuine remorse.The judge took into account Elliott's early guilty plea and genuine remorse.
Two months before Elliott posted the threats, 20 children and six adults were shot and killed at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.