A coroner has warned of the dangers of online messages after a teenager killed himself because of bullies on Facebook.
Lewis Thelwall, 19, was sent "malicious" messages by two young women who had "little idea of what affect it would have".
Mr Thelwall, who was described as a "happy-go-lucky character", later took his own life.
The inquest heard how the teenager, a forensics and photography student, was targeted for false rumours by other teenagers on the social network site.
He had recently lost his father, which caused him considerable distress.
Related ArticlesJudge sentencing rapist, 12, warns against using Internet as a babysitter
26 Nov 2013‘Chilling’ levels of child-on-child rape
26 Nov 2013London slavery: Make-up was first request to restore humanity
25 Nov 2013Slavery case: the high-flying student who vanished into a Maoist sect
26 Nov 2013Short jail sentences disrupt criminals’ lives, says top judge
26 Nov 2013Violent history of partners to be disclosed nationwide
25 Nov 2013Coroner Philip Rogers said there was a "long and complicated" story involving Facebook messages.
He said: "I can only describe this as Facebook bullying.
"I would urge anyone who uses this sort of social media to think of the consequences."
Mr Rogers said comments made online caused Mr Thelwall great distress, particularly following the death of his father.
He continued: "Two young women known to Lewis have taken it upon themselves to make entries on Facebook which they now accept as malicious and completely unfounded.
"Sadly he was a young man who was vulnerable because of the death of his father.
"The two young women have accepted their responsibility for these messages.
"They accepted they had little idea of what affect it would have on Lewis."
The two women – who can't be identified for legal reasons – have been given a caution for malicious communication.
Detective Constable Lee Stephens described Mr Thelwall, originally from Swindon but who moved to Wales when he was nine, as a "happy-go-lucky character" who was upset at Facebook slurs.
Lewis's mother Tina echoed the warning about Facebook bullying.
She said: "Be careful what you write.
"Behind closed doors you don't know what is going on. They did not understand what Lewis was going through."
Mr Rogers recorded a verdict of suicide.
If you are, or someone you know is, affected by suicide, the following organisations can help:
http://www.samaritans.org/
CrimeNews »UK News »Technology »Facebook »Technology News »In Crime
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment