Sentence appeal by Fife troll successful

Father of missing man tells of disgust at justice system’s handling of internet tormentor

An internet troll who repeatedly targeted the family of missing Fife man Allan Bryant has successfully appealed against his prison sentence.

Stewart McInroy was ordered to spend eight months behind bars after sending Facebook messages to the father and sister of the Glenrothes man in March.

The 27-year-old’s actions were branded “despicable, cruel and heartless” by Sheriff James MacDonald during a hearing at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on June 1.

He ordered McInroy to spend four months in custody for each of the two charges to which he pled guilty and said they were to be served consecutively.

But a ruling at Edinburgh High Court upheld McInroy’s appeal and instead imposed a four-month custodial sentence backdated to June, when he was originally dealt with.

Allan Bryant Sr yesterday said he felt let down by the justice system, and “no consideration” was given to his family.

The 52-year-old said: “I don’t know if he’s behind bars or what’s happening now. It’s a worry, not just because of who he is, but also the type of people he mixes with and his sort of friends. I’ve got two daughters here at home.

“He’s not even done four months. He’s only done a month and now they’ve backdated it even though he was out on appeal. It’s a complete and utter joke.

“He’s got away with it all and made a mockery of the courts. He gets out, reoffends, breaks bail and now he’s walked away.

“He’s just not going to stop. I’ve blocked him on all social media because it was just getting me angry.

“I’m just disgusted with the justice system. There’s no justice here whatsoever. They’ve not shown any consideration for the victims. He’s played the system, he’s got away with it.”

A spokesperson for the Judicial Office for Scotland said: “The Sheriff Appeal Court allowed the appeal and quashed the consecutive sentences imposed on the basis that this was an incompetent sentence, and accordingly imposed sentences of four months’ imprisonment to be served concurrently.”

McInroy has twice been convicted for sending vile messages to the Bryant family, who have been searching for Allan Jr since he disappeared in November 2013.

He was previously handed a 10-month prison sentence after claiming he had tortured and killed the missing 27-yearold.

Last month he contacted The Courier to say: “The real reason I trolled Allan Bryant was because I made any effort to try (to) claim the reward money. Unfortunately it failed.

“But after the trolling I started to like it. It made me feel in control and have power. Every time I troll it makes me feel good.”

“He’s got away with it all and made a mockery of the courts. He gets out, reoffends, breaks bail and now he’s walked away. ALLAN BRYANT SR

Picture: Kim Cessford. Fife internet troll Stewart McInroy, who repeatedly targeted the family of missing man Allan Bryant, has successfully appealed against his prison sentence.