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| Teenager jailed for trolling footballer Andy Woodward about abuse | Teenager jailed for trolling footballer Andy Woodward about abuse |
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| Two people are beginning 12-month prison sentences after a fake Twitter account, purporting to be that of a paedophile, was set up to “troll” Andy Woodward after he became the first former footballer to waive his anonymity and leave the sport facing a sexual abuse scandal involving hundreds of other victims. | Two people are beginning 12-month prison sentences after a fake Twitter account, purporting to be that of a paedophile, was set up to “troll” Andy Woodward after he became the first former footballer to waive his anonymity and leave the sport facing a sexual abuse scandal involving hundreds of other victims. |
| Woodward, the former Crewe Alexandra, Bury and Sheffield United player whose case led to the Football Association commissioning an independent inquiry, was targeted by a bogus account using a photograph of the man who abused him in the 1980s and calling itself “The Nonce”. | Woodward, the former Crewe Alexandra, Bury and Sheffield United player whose case led to the Football Association commissioning an independent inquiry, was targeted by a bogus account using a photograph of the man who abused him in the 1980s and calling itself “The Nonce”. |
| One message showed an animation of the abuser repeatedly sucking on a lollipop and saying: “Hi Andy, fancy popping round mine?” Other messages included: “Am feeling horny,” and “Am back fuckers.” A second account was also set up purporting to be the same man. | One message showed an animation of the abuser repeatedly sucking on a lollipop and saying: “Hi Andy, fancy popping round mine?” Other messages included: “Am feeling horny,” and “Am back fuckers.” A second account was also set up purporting to be the same man. |
| Woodward, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, was placed on medication because of “the uncontrollable feelings and emotions and instant flashbacks” he suffered after Lewis Hawkins targeted him within two days of the former player telling his story in the hope it would encourage others to follow. The last available figures, up to 28 September, show that 748 victims have come forward and 285 suspects have been identified, with 331 clubs “impacted” and Operation Hydrant, the specialist police unit, receiving more than 2,000 football-related referrals. | Woodward, who has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, was placed on medication because of “the uncontrollable feelings and emotions and instant flashbacks” he suffered after Lewis Hawkins targeted him within two days of the former player telling his story in the hope it would encourage others to follow. The last available figures, up to 28 September, show that 748 victims have come forward and 285 suspects have been identified, with 331 clubs “impacted” and Operation Hydrant, the specialist police unit, receiving more than 2,000 football-related referrals. |
| In one of the few cases where internet trolling has led to prison, Hawkins has now been told he will have to serve six months, with the rest on licence, after what the judge described as a “sophisticated” operation to make Woodward believe it was a genuine account. The victim was in tears as he told Chester crown court about the devastating effects on his life. Hawkins was also served with a 15-year restraining order. | In one of the few cases where internet trolling has led to prison, Hawkins has now been told he will have to serve six months, with the rest on licence, after what the judge described as a “sophisticated” operation to make Woodward believe it was a genuine account. The victim was in tears as he told Chester crown court about the devastating effects on his life. Hawkins was also served with a 15-year restraining order. |
| “The content of the messages horrified me to the point I felt dizzy,” Woodward said. “It made me feel sick. I dropped my phone on the table and I was in tears. I was home with my friends and family and virtually collapsed to the point where one of my family members had to hold me up from falling to the floor. Only two days before, I had given up my anonymity to speak publicly. I felt I had reverted to being a child and it took me back to tragic events. I was in a lot of fear. I felt vulnerable and powerless.” | “The content of the messages horrified me to the point I felt dizzy,” Woodward said. “It made me feel sick. I dropped my phone on the table and I was in tears. I was home with my friends and family and virtually collapsed to the point where one of my family members had to hold me up from falling to the floor. Only two days before, I had given up my anonymity to speak publicly. I felt I had reverted to being a child and it took me back to tragic events. I was in a lot of fear. I felt vulnerable and powerless.” |
| Hawkins, 18, of Crewe, created the Twitter account after Woodward’s case instigated what the FA chairman, Greg Clarke, has described as a “tidal wave” and the biggest crisis he can remember in the sport. | Hawkins, 18, of Crewe, created the Twitter account after Woodward’s case instigated what the FA chairman, Greg Clarke, has described as a “tidal wave” and the biggest crisis he can remember in the sport. |
| Hawkins’s father, David Riches, 45, of Crewe, initially took the blame, telling the police it was “banter” and “personal fun” and saying he did not think it would upset anyone. Riches described himself as having a “cruel sense of humour” but eventually accepted it was “a bit out of order”. | Hawkins’s father, David Riches, 45, of Crewe, initially took the blame, telling the police it was “banter” and “personal fun” and saying he did not think it would upset anyone. Riches described himself as having a “cruel sense of humour” but eventually accepted it was “a bit out of order”. |
| However, Hawkins later confessed he had sent the messages and admitted he had asked his father to accept responsibility for what the judge at a previous hearing, Patrick Thompson, described as a “deeply disturbing and unpleasant case”. In a police interview, Hawkins said: “I was so bitter about my own life I thought I would try to upset somebody else’s.” | However, Hawkins later confessed he had sent the messages and admitted he had asked his father to accept responsibility for what the judge at a previous hearing, Patrick Thompson, described as a “deeply disturbing and unpleasant case”. In a police interview, Hawkins said: “I was so bitter about my own life I thought I would try to upset somebody else’s.” |
| Hawkins and Riches pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice. Hawkins also admitted a charge under the 1988 Malicious Communications Act of sending an indecent or grossly offensive Twitter message that was intended to cause anxiety and stress. | Hawkins and Riches pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice. Hawkins also admitted a charge under the 1988 Malicious Communications Act of sending an indecent or grossly offensive Twitter message that was intended to cause anxiety and stress. |
| Riches, who previously went by the name David O’Brien and had a number of previous convictions for dishonesty, shoplifting and public order offences, was also informed he would have to serve half of his sentence, with the remainder on licence, after the court was told he took the blame to cover for his son. | Riches, who previously went by the name David O’Brien and had a number of previous convictions for dishonesty, shoplifting and public order offences, was also informed he would have to serve half of his sentence, with the remainder on licence, after the court was told he took the blame to cover for his son. |
| Hawkins had asked his father to “have my back” and was described by a probation officer as being “unaware of the word ‘trolling’ and not having any real knowledge of the problems around that, and the way the internet is increasingly used to terrorise people”. The teenager described himself as “not right in the head” after losing his job and a number of personal issues. As he was led away, he made a number of threats, shouting: “When I get out, I will fucking kill you.” Riches apologised to Woodward. | Hawkins had asked his father to “have my back” and was described by a probation officer as being “unaware of the word ‘trolling’ and not having any real knowledge of the problems around that, and the way the internet is increasingly used to terrorise people”. The teenager described himself as “not right in the head” after losing his job and a number of personal issues. As he was led away, he made a number of threats, shouting: “When I get out, I will fucking kill you.” Riches apologised to Woodward. |
| Speaking after the case, Woodward said: “I have no doubt the intention of the person who sent these messages was to cause significant harm to me. I have had several months of online abuse and feel totally devastated about the lengths that people will go to over the subject of child abuse. Nothing, however, compares to what these messages did to me. | Speaking after the case, Woodward said: “I have no doubt the intention of the person who sent these messages was to cause significant harm to me. I have had several months of online abuse and feel totally devastated about the lengths that people will go to over the subject of child abuse. Nothing, however, compares to what these messages did to me. |
| “It has affected the way I use social media and I do not really go on it much any more to avoid any more upset and distress to me and my family. I also hope this case will act as a deterrent to other internet users and they will see the huge damage it can do to people’s lives.” | “It has affected the way I use social media and I do not really go on it much any more to avoid any more upset and distress to me and my family. I also hope this case will act as a deterrent to other internet users and they will see the huge damage it can do to people’s lives.” |
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