Facebook Troll Convicted for Sick Comments

Currently, the U.S. Supreme Court is pondering a case involving extremely offensive behavior of Westboro Baptist Church members who regularly picket at soldiers' funerals. The perplexing question is how to put a damper on Westboro's offensive acts while not infringing upon the right to free speech. Everyone awaits the SCOTUS ruling.

Meanwhile, there's a somewhat similar case in Britain.

A pervert who trawled the internet leaving obscene messages on tribute sites for dead people is facing prison after being brought to court under a rarely-used law.

Unemployed Colm Coss found Facebook memorials to victims of high-profile tragedies around the world - and defaced them with horrific sexual slurs.

His targets included a site dedicated to Jade Goody, the reality TV star who died of cancer.

He was prosecuted under the Communications Act 2003, which governs all 'communications networks' including internet, email, mobile phone calls and text messages.

Coss,of Langport Avenue, Ardwick, also posted sick comments about a car crash victim in Australia, and a dead baby in the United States.

Coss, targeted the sites purely for his own amusement and to get a reaction, Manchester magistrates were told.

He was only caught when he sent residents on his street photos of himself saying he was an internet 'troll' – a term used to describe someone who posts offensive comments to upset or provoke a reaction from others.

The neighbours rang police.

When Coss was arrested, he admitted the offense.

What a scumbag. He did it for amusement.

Sentencing in the case is scheduled for later this month. I suggest a nice lengthy stretch in jail.