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Bulger killer claim man receives suspended jail term | Bulger killer claim man receives suspended jail term |
(40 minutes later) | |
An Essex man who accused a neighbour of being one of James Bulger's killers has received a 12-week suspended jail term. | |
Spencer Payne, 44, admitted posting a message on Facebook saying a man in his block of flats in Parsons Field, Dedham was child murderer Robert Thompson. | Spencer Payne, 44, admitted posting a message on Facebook saying a man in his block of flats in Parsons Field, Dedham was child murderer Robert Thompson. |
Payne had posted the claim after arguing with his neighbour Gregory Filby about parking, Colchester Magistrates' Court was told. | |
A police officer saw the post and alerted the victim. | A police officer saw the post and alerted the victim. |
Within 24 hours of being spoken to by police, Payne removed the post and wrote another message saying he was wrong. | Within 24 hours of being spoken to by police, Payne removed the post and wrote another message saying he was wrong. |
His solicitor told the court at an earlier hearing his client was mentally ill. | His solicitor told the court at an earlier hearing his client was mentally ill. |
Victim terrified | Victim terrified |
Prosecutor Sharon Hall told the court that Mr Filby had been left terrified to leave the house and unable to sleep at night for fear of vigilante attacks. | |
The message gave the precise address and said: "Convicted paedophile Robert Thompson is living in hiding with his wife and baby in the flat upstairs." | The message gave the precise address and said: "Convicted paedophile Robert Thompson is living in hiding with his wife and baby in the flat upstairs." |
Mrs Hall said: "In a victim impact statement he said he (Mr Filby) feared for his wife and baby's safety. | Mrs Hall said: "In a victim impact statement he said he (Mr Filby) feared for his wife and baby's safety. |
"He was embarrassed to leave the house and was worried he might be stabbed or shot by somebody who believed the message." | "He was embarrassed to leave the house and was worried he might be stabbed or shot by somebody who believed the message." |
Payne was told he must also carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and was made subject to a restraining order. | |