No hiding place for sick internet trolls

For most people it is simply unimaginable to think what goes through the mind of a person who decides to taunt families facing personal heartache. Sadly for some sick individuals it appears to be second nature.

Stewart Mcinroy has twice appeared in court for taunting the family of missing Fifer Allan Bryant Jnr.

The 27 year-old is one of an apparently ever-growing band of internet bullies.

Hiding behind a computer screen, they appear immune to any feelings of shame as they mete out the kind of abuse they would surely never contemplate during a face-to-face interaction.

Solutions are proving hard to find, but there is no doubt harsh punishments will help to ensure the message gets across.

Bullying in cyberspace is never legitimate, and can be every bit as harmful as the kind of more traditional playground victimisation we are all aware of.

It is easy for perpetrators to feel they are somehow hidden behind a computer screen but it must be made clear that there is no such hiding place.

Mr Mcinroy has already served one jail term for “trolling” Mr Bryant Jnr’s family.

Using a pseudonym was, not surprisingly, not enough to pull the wool over the eyes of investigators.

Internet trolls everywhere, take note.