Disappeared and Abducted Children and Young Adults => Madeleine McCann (3) disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment at Ocean Club, Praia da Luz, Portugal on 3 May 2007. No trace of her has ever been found. => Topic started by: jassi on October 05, 2014, 06:26:15 PM
Title: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 05, 2014, 06:26:15 PM
Divorcee Mrs Leyland had been identified as one of a number of online ‘trolls’ posting a series of abusive comments about Kate and Gerry McCann, by Sky News last Thursday.
She told a reporter who confronted her that she had been ‘entitled’ to make the comments using her Twitter identity @Sweepyface.
Yesterday, her son, Ben, 20, who is said to be studying law in Los Angeles, posted the following brief tribute: ‘I love you mum and I will miss you forever’. His friends then began passing on their condolences on the site.
Last night, neighbours of Mrs Leyland, who had continued using her married name, told of their shock at her death.
One said: ‘Brenda kept herself very much to herself, but people were surprised when she was accused of trolling the McCanns. You don’t expect something that like around here. It’s a very quiet place.
‘But the village will be shocked by this news. I’m sure no-one would have expected her to do something like this. People didn’t condone what she is said to have done, but it is obviously very sad when anybody is found dead.’
Burton Overy was mentioned in the Domesday Book and is just 15 miles from the McCanns’ home in Rothley, Leicestershire.
Mrs Leyland, who was educated at a convent school and studied at Goldsmiths, University of London, is among a group of hate-filled critics of Kate and Gerry McCann who have posted hundreds of vile messages about the couple online.
The trollers wrongly believe the McCanns were involved in their daughter’s disappearance.
Among the many comments attributed to Mrs Leyland on Twitter was one that said: ‘Q ‘how long must the Mccanns suffer’ answer ‘for the rest of their miserable lives’.’
On Friday, the day after her interview was broadcast, she disappeared from her home Leicestershire, neighbours said.
Sky News said today in a statement: 'We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time.'
Last week the father of Madeleine McCann called for an example to be made of ‘vile’ internet trolls who have been targeting the family.
Gerry McCann said he had ‘grave concerns’ about letting his nine-year-old twins use the internet after threats of violence and kidnapping.
The comments, in an interview with the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, came after it emerged that police are looking at a dossier of abuse posted on Twitter, Facebook and chat forums.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 05, 2014, 07:00:16 PM
Terrible news. I was concerned about her, as she was no youngster and had family and a nice life. It must have been a terrible shock to her, when confronted by the press. None of us knew, that it was about to happen. My sincere sympathies to all of her family and friends and may she rest in peace.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 05, 2014, 07:05:10 PM
what this shows is what the mccanns have had to endure with all the hate directed towards them
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 05, 2014, 07:06:18 PM
This is what happens when vigilantes and the press attempt to do the work for the police. I hope a certain Martin Brunt and his employers Sky News will learn from this dreadful episode.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 07:07:55 PM
No mention on Sky News so far, watching now.
What the woman did was wrong, but what Sky News did was wrong as well
It was up to the police to take action against her, not Sky.
She was hounded by Sky News, the very thing she was accused of, in regards to the Mccanns.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 07:09:13 PM
This is what happens when vigilantes and the press attempt to do the work for the police. I hope a certain Martin Brunt and his employers Sky News will learn from this dreadful episode.
Brunt is one sad pathetic puppet. It's about time SY got their act together and started solving this case instead of wasting time with other crap.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 07:13:52 PM
This is what happens when vigilantes and the press attempt to do the work for the police. I hope a certain Martin Brunt and his employers Sky News will learn from this dreadful episode.
Well said and make no mistake that this would not have happened if the dossier compiler hadn't gone to the press but had let the police deal with it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 07:18:55 PM
This is what happens when vigilantes and the press attempt to do the work for the police. I hope a certain Martin Brunt and his employers Sky News will learn from this dreadful episode.
Very true but one also hopes that the lovely Carole will learn from doing in principle the very thing she accused Mrs Leyland of doing. Only in this case the woman was hounded to an untimely death by the yahoos; there is no nicer way of putting it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 07:34:01 PM
No mention on the BBC either.
Will the lawyers be hurriedly working in the background ?
Will the mccann supporter trolls who hounded her be dealt with as well by the law ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 07:36:46 PM
This dreadful episode will only fan the flames so members please be warned that poor behaviour on here will not be tolerated.
Agreed Mr.Moderator.
Didn't anyone envision something like this could happen?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 05, 2014, 07:49:45 PM
Martin Brunt will be extremely lucky to survive this shambles, one would think that a reporter of his experience would have not got involved. This was a matter entirely for the police to deal with, putting it on national tv was the wrong thing to do.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 07:50:42 PM
Martin Brunt will be extremely lucky to survive this shambles, one would think that a reporter of his experience would have not got involved. This was a matter entirely for the police to deal with, putting it on national tv was the wrong thing to do.
I could not agree more.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 07:53:45 PM
Martin Brunt will be extremely lucky to survive this shambles, one would think that a reporter of his experience would have not got involved. This was a matter entirely for the police to deal with, putting it on national tv was the wrong thing to do.
agree the same to those who submitted the dossier they should have minded their own buisness
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 05, 2014, 07:54:02 PM
Now also if they obtained her details by breaching data protection laws, that is undeniably a crime.
This case could well have far reaching consequences and not the ones envisaged by their supporters or the mccanns themselves.
There was no question of breaching data laws; all anyone had to do was read her profile on FB and elsewhere; one of her comments on twitter named a person who was 'following' her and she did not appear to be at all perturbed at that.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 05, 2014, 07:57:54 PM
Out of respect for that unfortunate woman's family I am signing out of this thread - there is more to this tragedy than people on internet forums using it for their own ends.
She has two sons who must be in bits about their mother's death.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 07:58:35 PM
There was no question of breaching data laws; all anyone had to do was read her profile on FB and elsewhere; one of her comments on twitter named a person who was 'following' her and she did not appear to be at all perturbed at that.
How did they get her address ?
Did she have her photo on twitter or facebook ?
and those who compiled that dossier could well be held to account as well.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Victoria on October 05, 2014, 07:59:25 PM
Martin Brunt will be extremely lucky to survive this shambles, one would think that a reporter of his experience would have not got involved. This was a matter entirely for the police to deal with, putting it on national tv was the wrong thing to do.
I don't see that Brunt did anything wrong. He can't be held accountable for this woman's actions, tragic though they were. Neither can sky.
The one thing that I think is becoming ever more clearer, and this episode serves to illustrate well, is that the days of being able to post abuse anonymously are drawing to a close. People are going to start being exposed, and they are going to have to face up to the things they say and do online. I don't see this as a bad thing, as in my view, it will curtail a lot of irresponsible behaviour.
It's painfully obvious that this woman deeply regretted what she had said once it became clear that the world at large, and perhaps more importantly her closer family and friends, knew the details. It's very sad that she regretted it so much that she chose to take her own life, but perhaps it will make other people think more carefully about what they post online. If it's something you wouldn't be prepared to stand up and say in public, with the world watching, then it's not the sort of thing you should be posting on twitter either.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 08:04:00 PM
not one word from sky??
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 05, 2014, 08:07:33 PM
Out of respect for that unfortunate woman's family I am signing out of this thread - there is more to this tragedy than people on internet forums using it for their own ends.
She has two sons who must be in bits about their mother's death.
Me too. This is not a subject for blame of anyone.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 08:15:42 PM
I don't see that Brunt did anything wrong. He can't be held accountable for this woman's actions, tragic though they were. Neither can sky.
The one thing that I think is becoming ever more clearer, and this episode serves to illustrate well, is that the days of being able to post abuse anonymously are drawing to a close. People are going to start being exposed, and they are going to have to face up to the things they say and do online. I don't see this as a bad thing, as in my view, it will curtail a lot of irresponsible behaviour.
It's painfully obvious that this woman deeply regretted what she had said once it became clear that the world at large, and perhaps more importantly her closer family and friends, knew the details. It's very sad that she regretted it so much that she chose to take her own life, but perhaps it will make other people think more carefully about what they post online. If it's something you wouldn't be prepared to stand up and say in public, with the world watching, then it's not the sort of thing you should be posting on twitter either.
Sky and Martin Brunt are not the Police.
They have behaved as vigilantes.
This was a police matter.
Others, should now be receiving the attention of the Police.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 08:20:05 PM
that they should steve and they know who they are
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: a.baker on October 05, 2014, 08:20:37 PM
Terrible news! No good shooting the messenger (sky or MB),the blame lies with whoever handed the 'dossier' to the media. Should have been left for the police to investigate. But that clearly wasn't enough for the compiler of the 'dossier'. Disgusted!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 08:23:53 PM
Well it seems her body was discovered yesterday by Leicestershire Police.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 08:24:37 PM
sky saying nothing is gutless
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 08:26:06 PM
The thread on j a t y k 2 about her , has been removed to a private thread.
Oh the irony of that.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 05, 2014, 08:36:01 PM
Constructive comments only please.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 08:37:05 PM
ok it is hard though many people are very angry at this poor ladys treatment i wont pretend not to be sky and others who back the mcanns had no right to do what they did to her without all this dossier crap she would be alive and well now a bit like maddie
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 05, 2014, 08:43:39 PM
Sky will be very aware how this could play out for them, I wouldn't be surprised if Leicestershire Police have been in touch with them and not for a cosy chat this time.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 08:44:41 PM
Well it seems the originators of the dossier on mythland haven't learned a thing.
They are still carrying on.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 08:45:49 PM
Sky will be very aware how this could play out for them, I wouldn't be surprised if Leicestershire Police have been in touch with them and not for a cosy chat this time.
that could be the reason for their silence
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 05, 2014, 08:56:26 PM
Others, should now be receiving the attention of the Police.
Behaved as vigilantes...perhaps some posters might learn a lesson
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 08:57:56 PM
Her death is now being reported on foreign news networks.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Angelo222 on October 05, 2014, 09:10:48 PM
I knew this would all end in tears if Brunty got involved. Will he and Sky News now be accused of interfering in a police investigation and if not, why not?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 09:12:20 PM
I knew this would all end in tears if Brunty got involved. Will he and Sky News now be accused of interfering in a police investigation and if not, why not?
Good question Angelo.
It was never a matter for sky or brunt.
It was for the Police.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Angelo222 on October 05, 2014, 09:13:09 PM
I knew this would all end in tears if Brunty got involved. Will he and Sky News now be accused of interfering in a police investigation and if not, why not?
not to mention the mccan supporters who butted in with their support for the mcanns
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 09:14:30 PM
I knew this would all end in tears if Brunty got involved. Will he and Sky News now be accused of interfering in a police investigation and if not, why not?
Or, did they give him their blessing, perhaps?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: xtina on October 05, 2014, 09:15:15 PM
the repercussions of all this are unimaginable ............
No doubt there is some serious damage limitation going on right now .....
I said the other day when this story first broke... that I thought pandora's box had been well and truly opened .
I really do not know where things go from here .
Hopefully more and more people will begin to question things , they can't shut everyone up .
Lets hope some good comes out of this and that Brenda's death is not in vain and maddie finally gets the justice she deserves .
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 05, 2014, 09:17:57 PM
the repercussions of all this are unimaginable ............
No doubt there is some serious damage limitation going on right now .....
I said the other day when this story first broke... that I thought pandora's box had been well and truly opened .
I really do not know where things go from here .
Hopefully more and more people will begin to question things , they can't shut everyone up .
Lets hope some good comes out of this and that Brenda's death is not in vain and maddie finally gets the justice she deserves .
How will any of this help find the abductor.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: misty on October 05, 2014, 09:24:12 PM
Whilst this lady's death is tragic, I hope it will not influence any decision regarding possible prosecution against anyone else who has been guilty of making vile personal threats on social media. Sky have behaved in an appalling manner and may have indirectly been guilty of perverting the course of justice. Another example of the Empire's agenda?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 05, 2014, 09:25:21 PM
Whilst this lady's death is tragic, I hope it will not influence any decision regarding possible prosecution against anyone else who has been guilty of making vile personal threats on social media. Sky have behaved in an appalling manner and may have indirectly been guilty of perverting the course of justice. Another example of the Empire's agenda?
Did she threaten anyone?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 05, 2014, 09:33:01 PM
Whilst this lady's death is tragic, I hope it will not influence any decision regarding possible prosecution against anyone else who has been guilty of making vile personal threats on social media. Sky have behaved in an appalling manner and may have indirectly been guilty of perverting the course of justice. Another example of the Empire's agenda?
It won't...the law is the law and should be enforced
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 05, 2014, 09:34:57 PM
so like we all thought sucide how sad?? all because sky and others hounded her 8)><(
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Miss Taken Identity on October 05, 2014, 10:09:30 PM
Yes, ok carly, Thanks for clearing that...I understand, Brenda was responsible for what she was typing- the people who trolled her back and handed information to the police should have left it to the police to investigate and take action if deemed necessary.
Who told Martin Brunt? why did he think it was OK to go and challenge, accuse and find guilty someone who had been reported to the police? we don't know... and I agree THAT IS NASTY.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 05, 2014, 10:14:38 PM
I've always thought that those who abuse the McCanns have other issues in their lives that make them bitter. Committing suicide because of Brunt doesn't make sense. Most people would relish the chance to put their point of view over. I'm sure we will find there were other issues involved.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 05, 2014, 10:15:22 PM
sky broke its silence and now is calling brenda a mcann abuser!!
A woman who abused the parents of Madeleine McCann on social media is believed to have been found dead in a Leicestershire hotel.
Brenda Leyland was featured in a Sky News report on internet abuse earlier this week.
A spokesman for Leicestershire police said: "Police were called at 1.42pm on Saturday 4 October to a report of a body of a woman in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park, Leicester.
"Officers attended the scene, and a file is being prepared for the coroner.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: misty on October 05, 2014, 10:21:52 PM
so basically all you care about the mcanns? as always
No, Carly. I mean ALL those who have made vile personal threats on social media. I support truth & justice and am not blinded by loyalty to a cause.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lordpookles on October 05, 2014, 10:44:13 PM
Shouldn't they say alleged abuser/troll? It's sad because so many people have followed this case and mainly opinions are so polarised between abduction and the parents that did it theories and people obviously get carried away with their convictions. Largely because they believe they are anonymous behind the safety of their keyboards and then some dude from Sky news turns up at your door. What she says actually seems quite mild compared to the other supposed tweets I've read about from other trolls... Was she well known on the Internet? In her shoes I would have taken the opportunity to air my theories to the sky reporter if i felt this passionately... I don't even know why I'm bothering post here to be honest...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: a.baker on October 06, 2014, 01:14:23 AM
The names of those that compiled the 'dossier' have been revealed. Well,that didn't take long did it!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 06, 2014, 01:37:52 AM
The names of those that compiled the 'dossier' have been revealed. Well,that didn't take long did it!
Have they ? Not heard them myself but A... ....... the OC nanny seems to have featured a lot in Mrs Leyland's tweets. It is alleged that she is a pro-McCann tweeter.
What a nasty little web this is all turning out to be !
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: a.baker on October 06, 2014, 01:40:31 AM
Yes,she has been named as one of them along with PG.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: misty on October 06, 2014, 01:54:35 AM
How the heck has Joana Morais got hold of someone's tweeting history??
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 06, 2014, 03:28:40 AM
Oh do people have anything better to do than obsess with other posters or the McCanns. This poor lady was obviously ....... .......... this is what I said on the day one. Why else would anyone with a normal life spend days tweeting and re-tweeting about the McCanns. Only people who try escaping from their own life problems and routines spend days getting into some imaginary story. It is like playing Second Life games.. it is the black glasses people put on to avoid thinking about themselves and their own lives. Nothing else but escapism.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 07:37:04 AM
Oh do people have anything better to do than obsess with other posters or the McCanns. This poor lady was obviously ....... ......... this is what I said on the day one. Why else would anyone with a normal life spend days tweeting and re-tweeting about the McCanns. Only people who try escaping from their own life problems and routines spend days getting into some imaginary story. It is like playing Second Life games.. it is the black glasses people put on to avoid thinking about themselves and their own lives. Nothing else but escapism.
Totally agree
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 07:45:19 AM
Oh do people have anything better to do than obsess with other posters or the McCanns. This poor lady was obviously ....... ....... this is what I said on the day one. Why else would anyone with a normal life spend days tweeting and re-tweeting about the McCanns. Only people who try escaping from their own life problems and routines spend days getting into some imaginary story. It is like playing Second Life games.. it is the black glasses people put on to avoid thinking about themselves and their own lives. Nothing else but escapism.
She didn't believe it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 07:58:23 AM
Will this reduce the trolling of the MccCanns or make it worse...probably the latter
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 08:22:51 AM
It will be interesting to see what actions her Son and Daughter now take.
She was not charged with any offense, but Sky News took the Law into their own hands and metered out their brand of 'justice'.
What she did was wrong, no debate.
However, what Sky has done is despicable as well.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: insider on October 06, 2014, 08:25:05 AM
As a witness in the case I can reveal that the aforementioned young lady is already the subject of some interest because of her activities.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 06, 2014, 08:48:04 AM
Since you ask so nicely but any further unacceptable language and it will be reinstated.
i understand
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 11:23:59 AM
Katie Hopkins in Madeleine McCann Twitter storm after asking 'how many must die' before parents accept their 'negligence'
Hopkins' tweet follows the death of Brenda Leyland, 63, whose body was found after she was exposed on Sky News for sending vile tweets to Kate and Gerry.
Oct 06, 2014 10:10 By Sam Adams
Katie Hopkins sparked a new Twitter storm today by asking "how many more must die" before Kate and Gerry McCann accept that "their negligence is at the heart of all their grief" over missing daughter Madeleine.
The TV pundit's tweet followed the death of Twitter troll Brenda Leyland, 63, whose body was found after she was confronted on Sky News for sending vile tweets aimed at the McCanns.
Hopkins was slammed by many Twitter users for her insensitivity to the McCanns, who continue to hunt for clues on what happened to their daughter, who went missing during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007.
The three year-old disappeared while her parents were eating in a nearby Tapas restaurant but there has never been any evidence of negligence by the McCanns.
Responding to Hopkins' tweet, one user, @K69atie, tweeted: "You don't think the couple feel any guilt ? Of course they do, it 'will' be at the core of their grief."
Meanwhile royal journalist Jennie Bond added: "I cannot believe you have just written that. How sad that people are so lacking in compassion."
But other Twitter users supported Hopkins, with Mike Hoxard writing: "With you totally on this one."
Hopkins responded to the criticism by tweeting: "Believe it - and get over yourself. Plenty think it. Imagine if I left my children alone and went out. Forgiveness?" Churchgoing Ms Leyland fled her home last week after she was accused of sending vicious online messages to Kate and Gerry about their missing girl.
The convent-educated divorcee posted a string of sick comments, including: “Q ‘how long must the Mccanns suffer’ answer ‘for the rest of their miserable lives’.”
Her body was found in a room at the four-star Marriott Hotel in Enderby, just 10 miles from the McCanns’ home in Rothley, Leics, on Saturday afternoon.
A police spokesman said the death was not suspicious and added: “Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner.”
Yesterday Mrs Leyland’s son Ben wrote on his Facebook page: “I love you mum and I will miss you forever.”
Sky’s Martin Brunt exposed Mrs Leyland as a troll on Thursday after tracking her down to her £170,000 cottage.
Using the Twitter name @sweepyface she had posted dozens of messages attacking Kate and Gerry, apparently believing they were behind Madeleine’s disappearance in Praia da Luz, Portugal, aged three in 2007.
In one post she claimed the parents had “betrayed” their daughter.
When Mr Brunt asked why she had targeted the McCanns, she said: “I’m entitled to do that.”
He told her she had been reported to Scotland Yard, which was considering a dossier of evidence against her and other trolls.
She replied: “That’s fair enough.”
Officers were handed a 65-page file of abuse and death threats aimed at the McCanns. It was compiled by members of the public who sympathise with Kate and Gerry.
Mrs Leyland’s neighbours in Burton Overy, Leics, became concerned about the “good, friendly” god-fearing woman after she was unveiled as a troll.
She disappeared in her 4x4 and had not been seen since.
One resident said: “While I wouldn’t condone what Brenda is accused of doing I am worried for her safety, she has apparently fled the village.”
Locals were shocked by Mrs Leyland’s online profile.
One man said: “She’s a lovely woman and a good friend. She’s a churchgoer.”
Another said: “She’s an educated woman. She should know better.”
The day after Mrs Leyland was exposed, Madeleine’s dad Gerry told Radio 4 trolls’ abuse caused the family “severe distress”.
He said: “There is so much vile nonsense on the internet. I think we need more people to be charged. We need to make examples of people causing damage.”
A Leicestershire Police spokesperson said: “Police were called at 1.42pm yesterday Sat Oct 4 to a report of the body of a woman at a hotel in Smithway, Grove Park.
"Officers have attended the scene and a file is being prepared for the coroner. Identification of the deceased is a matter for the coroner. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”.
Last night the McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said the couple – who have nine-year-old twins Sean and Amelie –were aware of the news.
He added: “Kate and Gerry will not be saying anything. It is entirely a matter for the police.”
In response to Ms Leyland's death, Sky News said in a statement: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland.
"It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."
'Hopkins was slammed by many Twitter users for her insensitivity to the McCanns, who continue to hunt for clues on what happened to their daughter, whowent missing during a family holiday in Portugal in May 2007.'
What happened to 'abducted by people'?
What clue hunting have they done recently?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 06, 2014, 11:42:28 AM
From Brenda Leylands tweet record it appears that Brunty was showing an interest in her from as far back as 29 September when she tweeted...
516694464455528448|Mon Sep 29 21:02:14 +0000 2014|#mccann Just noticed @skymartinbrunt is following me, why Martin won't you investigate some of these facts and show neutrality ?
www.greptweet.com/u/sweepyface/sweepyface.txt
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 11:48:45 AM
'Hopkins' tweet follows the death of Brenda Leyland, 63, whose body was found after she was exposed on Sky News for sending vile tweets to Kate and Gerry'
Did she send vile tweets to Kate & Gerry?
The McCanns aren't on Twitter, are they?
So, she couldn't have done, could she?
More honest journalism from the British MSM.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 11:51:59 AM
'Hopkins' tweet follows the death of Brenda Leyland, 63, whose body was found after she was exposed on Sky News for sending vile tweets to Kate and Gerry'
Did she send vile tweets to Kate & Gerry?
The McCanns aren't on Twitter, are they?
So, she couldn't have done, could she?
More honest journalism from the British MSM.
They don't have to be - their Monitor in Chief at Skipton Centre will see it and tell them all about it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 11:59:46 AM
A woman who was widely condemned in the media for allegedly writing abusive tweets about the parents of Madeleine McCann has been found dead.
There is an interesting comment from Lord Sugar in here. It should make the barrack room lawyers juices flow!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 06, 2014, 12:23:48 PM
Brenda's tweets were harmless for the most part and displayed a genuine need to want to find out what happened to Madeleine. What possessed Martin Brunt to single her out?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 12:27:52 PM
Brenda's tweets were harmless for the most part and displayed a genuine need to want to find out what happened to Madeleine. What possessed Martin Brunt to single her out?
Whatever it was it has changed Brunt's life forever.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 12:32:04 PM
how would you all feel if it was you or your family being threatened.. any threat should be treat as serious imo...Karma!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 12:39:35 PM
Brenda's tweets were harmless for the most part and displayed a genuine need to want to find out what happened to Madeleine. What possessed Martin Brunt to single her out?
Any 'threats ' in there, were there John?
He singled her out because she was a soft target, I'd imagine.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 12:48:55 PM
Perhaps the thread should have started with a note of the following legislation ... it might perhaps have led to a more informed debate ... it certainly does clarify what is and what is not legitimate free speech.
127 Improper use of public electronic communications network
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.
(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,
(b)causes such a message to be sent; or
(c)persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 06, 2014, 12:56:29 PM
Maybe it was related to this
" I think her tweets about Amy are the worst in many ways. Yes it is absurd that the tweeter basil could be Amy, but that's not the point. Brenda Leyland accused Amy herself of being a prostitute and posted up all her details even claiming Amy was now scared because of these details being posted. it was a sustained campaign against a witness. I think her behaviour regarding the witness was far more likely to result in police questioning her than anything else. "
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 12:59:44 PM
Perhaps the thread should have started with a note of the following legislation ... it might perhaps have led to a more informed debate ... it certainly does clarify what is and what is not legitimate free speech.
127 Improper use of public electronic communications network
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.
(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,
(b)causes such a message to be sent; or
(c)persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).
a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
....is subjective.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 01:00:26 PM
She might have done. I am asking what it was. Someone should know if it was posted on twitter or elsewhere.
She may have committed suicide because she felt persecuted by SKY reporters.
The law is clear and governs the internet, email, mobile phone calls and text messaging.
It is an offence to send messages that are "grossly offensive” whether the victims receive the message or not. It is enough to post them to break the law. See http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5340.msg190627#msg190627
Therefore the people behind the dossier given to the police for action are whistleblowers who are upholding the law; it will be determined if those whose names are contained within the dossier are the lawbreakers.
All quite simple really.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 01:04:52 PM
The law is clear and governs the internet, email, mobile phone calls and text messaging.
It is an offence to send messages that are "grossly offensive” whether the victims receive the message or not. It is enough to post them to break the law. See http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5340.msg190627#msg190627
Therefore the people behind the dossier given to the police for action are whistleblowers who are upholding the law; it will be determined if those whose names are contained within the dossier are the lawbreakers.
All quite simple really.
"grossly offensive”
No, it's not quite simple.
I haven't seen any grossly offensive tweets made by her, there isn't much I find grossly offensive...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 01:09:06 PM
I'm just sorry that she felt she had no one to turn to for support. You don't have to agree with a friend to support a friend.
And Yes, I would have supported her if I had been her friend. Where were such people?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 01:09:59 PM
Brenda's tweets were harmless for the most part and displayed a genuine need to want to find out what happened to Madeleine. What possessed Martin Brunt to single her out?
She was an easy target.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 01:25:31 PM
one question for you all to ponder over ..why did Brenda Leyland take her own life if she wasn't guilty of bullying and abuse ? and you cannot put the blame on martin brunt that's just a easy get out imo..
have a good day bbl ?{)(**
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 01:30:50 PM
We'll have to wait for the Coroner's verdict on that one.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 01:32:12 PM
one question for you all to ponder over ..why did Brenda Leyland take her own life if she wasn't guilty of bullying and abuse ? and you cannot put the blame on martin brunt that's just a easy get out imo..
have a good day bbl ?{)(**
What happened to the threats, you mentioned?
Did she bully or abuse them, then?
I don't think she did.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 01:35:39 PM
one question for you all to ponder over ..why did Brenda Leyland take her own life if she wasn't guilty of bullying and abuse ? and you cannot put the blame on martin brunt that's just a easy get out imo..
have a good day bbl ?{)(**
Who knows? Why are we all here? I got involved with this case seven years ago, and haven't let go a lot since.
My family all think that I am a bit obsessed.
No, I don't think that Martin Brunt is responsible. He doesn't get to wander around the country with a camera crew in tow because he personally feels like it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 01:38:17 PM
one question for you all to ponder over ..why did Brenda Leyland take her own life if she wasn't guilty of bullying and abuse ? and you cannot put the blame on martin brunt that's just a easy get out imo..
have a good day bbl ?{)(**
What a sad thing to write.
You have obviously not been hounded by the press, didnt Princess Diane DIE because she was hounded by the press?
Didn't the lovely nurse kill herself after she answered a phone call from 2 Australians predending to be asking about kate Middleton etc.
Several of the men who were arrested for sexual abuse I believe considered killing themselves, not because they were guilty but because they felt let down perhaps and that they couldnt cope with all the on going publicity and having to move house etc, and even perhaps their own identity.
Again this is all trial by media isnt it.
She was a TROLL, was she? Arnt we all trolls then?
IF its illegal to be abusive to others on twitter, and forums etc, then it can work both ways, for and against say the McCanns. I have seen some terrible posts on here and other forums calling people terrible names, telling them they should be dead and how disgusting they were to think the McCanns would harm their daughter.
Whats the difference?
Abuse is abuse
I actually have read this ladies tweets they are on the Internet to read, and to be honest I can honestly say i am shocked she was singled out, when there were other things i have seen far worse.
What a sorry and sad thing to happen to her and her family.
She said no more then what was written in GAs book, and far less then what Kate said about amaral.
I dont agree in people hounding anyone. Hounding means she was writing to them terrible messages, or sending messages on their facebook page, not tweeting with loads of other people.
I think we need to wait and see what comes of this, I hope bloody Blunt gets his hands slapped.
This womens life was OVER before she killed herself, with the way Sky was reporting her being an abusive McCann troll..................RIP Brenda.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 01:45:57 PM
You have obviously not been hounded by the press, didnt Princess Diane DIE because she was hounded by the press?
Didn't the lovely nurse kill herself after she answered a phone call from 2 Australians predending to be asking about kate Middleton etc.
Several of the men who were arrested for sexual abuse I believe considered killing themselves, not because they were guilty but because they felt let down perhaps and that they couldnt cope with all the on going publicity and having to move house etc, and even perhaps their own identity.
Again this is all trial by media isnt it.
She was a TROLL, was she? Arnt we all trolls then?
IF its illegal to be abusive to others on twitter, and forums etc, then it can work both ways, for and against say the McCanns. I have seen some terrible posts on here and other forums calling people terrible names, telling them they should be dead and how disgusting they were to think the McCanns would harm their daughter.
Whats the difference?
Abuse is abuse
I actually have read this ladies tweets they are on the Internet to read, and to be honest I can honestly say i am shocked she was singled out, when there were other things i have seen far worse.
What a sorry and sad thing to happen to her and her family.
She said no more then what was written in GAs book, and far less then what Kate said about amaral.
I dont agree in people hounding anyone. Hounding means she was writing to them terrible messages, or sending messages on their facebook page, not tweeting with loads of other people.
I think we need to wait and see what comes of this, I hope bloody Blunt gets his hands slapped.
This womens life was OVER before she killed herself, with the way Sky was reporting her being an abusive McCann troll..................RIP Brenda.
'Hounding means she was writing to them terrible messages, or sending messages on their facebook page, not tweeting with loads of other people.'
The MSM are misleading the sheeple, shamefully.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 01:48:54 PM
Who knows? Why are we all here? I got involved with this case seven years ago, and haven't let go a lot since.
My family all think that I am a bit obsessed.
No, I don't think that Martin Brunt is responsible. He doesn't get to wander around the country with a camera crew in tow because he personally feels like it.
Nor do I ... that is what journalism is all about these days.
Nor do I think the victims of abuse are at fault; neither is any individual reporting a crime to the police.
The fault lies squarely with those who break the law and encourage others to do so.
I think the people who should be worried and maybe even examining their consciences very carefully are those who have set up social media sites solely for the purpose of doing as much as they can to make the lives of an individual family utter misery and have cosistently kept it going for over seven years.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 01:50:51 PM
Nor do I ... that is what journalism is all about these days.
Nor do I think the victims of abuse are at fault; neither is any individual reporting a crime to the police.
The fault lies squarely with those who break the law and encourage others to do so.
I think the people who should be worried and maybe even examining their consciences very carefully are those who have set up social media sites solely in for the purpose of doing as much as they can to make the lives of an individual family utter misery and have cosistently kept it going for over seven years.
8@??)( 8@??)( well said...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 01:55:01 PM
Nor do I ... that is what journalism is all about these days.
Nor do I think the victims of abuse are at fault; neither is any individual reporting a crime to the police.
The fault lies squarely with those who break the law and encourage others to do so.
I think the people who should be worried and maybe even examining their consciences very carefully are those who have set up social media sites solely for the purpose of doing as much as they can to make the lives of an individual family utter misery and have cosistently kept it going for over seven years.
What crime did she commit then?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 02:07:33 PM
The crime of being a non-believer, of course.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 02:10:15 PM
Nor do I ... that is what journalism is all about these days.
Nor do I think the victims of abuse are at fault; neither is any individual reporting a crime to the police.
The fault lies squarely with those who break the law and encourage others to do so.
I think the people who should be worried and maybe even examining their consciences very carefully are those who have set up social media sites solely for the purpose of doing as much as they can to make the lives of an individual family utter misery and have cosistently kept it going for over seven years.
Well said from me too. There are Sites that encourage vulnerable people to break The Law, and to do their dirty work for them. And this poor woman was undoubtedly vulnerable.
But I think you can forget their consciences. They have none. And now they have their martyr. Although I don't suppose her family will see it quite like this.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 02:11:06 PM
Apparently she hasn't, and you can't charge someone who is dead.
I would also tend to suggest the Leyland family will now be taking legal advice.
and here's some advice the family might take note of...
'..............I would also be in discussions with the Leicestershire Police about possible criminal stalking and harassment offences, as well as breaches of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and Data Protection Act 1998 and an alleged criminal conspiracy by the compilers of the so-called "dossier". (The beauty of the law on conspiracy is that it is not necessary to prove that the co-conspirators knew the identity of the other conspirators, only that they knew there were other parties to the agreement; they do not even have to know that the outcome of what was intended will be a crime.) '
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pegasus on October 06, 2014, 02:14:24 PM
.... The press has five more of these exposés in their back-pocket if there is a slow news day or two in the future ....
Given the sad event which has happened since your post, I wonder whether "the press" will now go ahead with their 5 further exposés in similar dramatic manner.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 02:17:05 PM
Nor do I ... that is what journalism is all about these days.
Nor do I think the victims of abuse are at fault; neither is any individual reporting a crime to the police.
The fault lies squarely with those who break the law and encourage others to do so.
I think the people who should be worried and maybe even examining their consciences very carefully are those who have set up social media sites solely for the purpose of doing as much as they can to make the lives of an individual family utter misery and have cosistently kept it going for over seven years.
Its very odd as on this forum you can discuss so many cases, oscar, now even the guy in south africa and people are quite happy to say they are both guilty of murder etc, yet not one bad post or even a bother with that. Yet we or you or anyone had no clue if they were guilty or not.
I dont see anything wrong in discussing the case of the child, like so many other cases which are discussed.
I actually see more hatred from the pro McCanns then the other way round.
Before you cast stones at others you should perhaps look at yourself too.
I have no idea what happened to the child, neither do you, or SY or the PJ the only thing we know for sure is she went missing.
We are all entitled to a healthy debate.
I dont believe in trolling but the definition of a troll is thus: a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, either accidentally or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response ...
It seems to me we can easily say all the pro McCanns who come on these threads upsetting people for their thoughts and ideas and calling them terrible names and saying they should be dead are far more TROLLS then Brenda was.
IF she was writing to the McCanns in an abusive way, or on their facebook page, and calling them out then yes she should have been punished I dont agree with that not one bit. I dont agree idea in calling the McCanns murderers, child abuser or killers, as we DONT KNOW what happened to her.
There is no evidence.
I still dont think they did anything to her, but i am not convinced that someone who knew them didnt is there something wrong in me thinking that way?
No I think if people dont like the subject then why dont they leave and go join another forum about flower arranging.
Brenda was not guilty of anything its all hearsay and she was not ARRESTED by the police either.
I truly hope her son takes some action over this i know i would.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 06, 2014, 02:21:11 PM
Who knows? Why are we all here? I got involved with this case seven years ago, and haven't let go a lot since.
My family all think that I am a bit obsessed.
No, I don't think that Martin Brunt is responsible. He doesn't get to wander around the country with a camera crew in tow because he personally feels like it.
On one hand I agree Eleanor but on the other, had he not confronted her and splashed her face all over national tv she would probably still be alive today.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 02:22:37 PM
and had mcann supporters not taken things into their own hands all this wouldnt of ococcured
....and, had particles of energy & matter not merged together and formed the basis of all existance as we know it, I don't think anything would have happened ever....
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 02:30:41 PM
Well,well,well.
@Lord_Sugar Well said Lord Sugar. Police have since confirmed she was not being investigated although media threatened her she was. #mccann 1:47pm - 6 Oct 14
So what price now, the 'dossier' ???
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pegasus on October 06, 2014, 02:40:51 PM
@Lord_Sugar Well said Lord Sugar. Police have since confirmed she was not being investigated although media threatened her she was. #mccann 1:47pm - 6 Oct 14 So what price now, the 'dossier' ???
Another bit of fiction dressed up as fact, no doubt.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 02:47:28 PM
On one hand I agree Eleanor but on the other, had he not confronted her and splashed her face all over national tv she would probably still be alive today.
Yes, she almost certainly would still be alive today. And when it all eventually came out, she would not have been alone. That's the thing you see. So many of these people are alone.
But you either want Free Speach without Press Regulation, or you don't. You can't have it both ways. You can't have the right to slag off The McCanns and still be protected yourself in your abuse of them. Not that I am referring to you personally.
Me? I would gag them all. Including me. We are all getting a bit too big for our boots. The whole thing has become a nightmare. But this is not the fault of any one person. Just a tragedy waiting to happen.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 02:50:06 PM
Cheers "peggy" I enjoyed the intro. I wonder if any of the house churnalists ever read it and whether the Honchos applied it?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pegasus on October 06, 2014, 02:54:09 PM
Their Editorial Guidelines say:
"Any grounds for an investigation that involves significant intrusion into any individual’s privacy must be very strong. Before we start out we must be certain that any such intrusion is outweighed by the seriousness of the story and the amount of public good that will be delivered by its publication and/or broadcast. Even if you believe that this test has been satisfied, the story must still be subject to the mandatory referral process set out above."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 02:55:11 PM
Its very odd as on this forum you can discuss so many cases, oscar, now even the guy in south africa and people are quite happy to say they are both guilty of murder etc, yet not one bad post or even a bother with that. Yet we or you or anyone had no clue if they were guilty or not.
I dont see anything wrong in discussing the case of the child, like so many other cases which are discussed.
I actually see more hatred from the pro McCanns then the other way round.
Before you cast stones at others you should perhaps look at yourself too.
I have no idea what happened to the child, neither do you, or SY or the PJ the only thing we know for sure is she went missing.
We are all entitled to a healthy debate.
I dont believe in trolling but the definition of a troll is thus: a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, either accidentally or with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response ...
It seems to me we can easily say all the pro McCanns who come on these threads upsetting people for their thoughts and ideas and calling them terrible names and saying they should be dead are far more TROLLS then Brenda was.
IF she was writing to the McCanns in an abusive way, or on their facebook page, and calling them out then yes she should have been punished I dont agree with that not one bit. I dont agree idea in calling the McCanns murderers, child abuser or killers, as we DONT KNOW what happened to her.
There is no evidence.
I still dont think they did anything to her, but i am not convinced that someone who knew them didnt is there something wrong in me thinking that way?
No I think if people dont like the subject then why dont they leave and go join another forum about flower arranging.
Brenda was not guilty of anything its all hearsay and she was not ARRESTED by the police either.
I truly hope her son takes some action over this i know i would.
I don’t know if the thought police have got round to perfecting equipment for monitoring what you, me or anyone is thinking yet … I’ll be sure to ask the next person I see someone wearing a tin foil hat and let you know what they think.
I do know that publishing those thoughts if they are "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" is breaking the law.
It is way past the time that it is accepted that trolls have nothing to do with free speech and all to do with breaking the law.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 02:58:10 PM
I don’t know if the thought police have got round to perfecting equipment for monitoring what you, me or anyone is thinking yet … I’ll be sure to ask the next person I see wearing a tin foil hat and let you know what they think.
I do know that publishing those thoughts if they are "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" is breaking the law.
It is way past the time that it is accepted that trolls have nothing to do with free speech and all to do with breaking the law.
You do realize of course the police weren't investigating her.
Sky News took the law into their own hands.
The behaviour of vigilantes..........
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 02:58:30 PM
I don’t know if the thought police have got round to perfecting equipment for monitoring what you, me or anyone is thinking yet … I’ll be sure to ask the next person I see wearing a tin foil hat and let you know what they think.
I do know that publishing those thoughts if they are "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" is breaking the law.
It is way past the time that it is accepted that trolls have nothing to do with free speech and all to do with breaking the law.
Is 'grossly offensive' defined in law?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 02:59:03 PM
I don’t know if the thought police have got round to perfecting equipment for monitoring what you, me or anyone is thinking yet … I’ll be sure to ask the next person I see wearing a tin foil hat and let you know what they think.
I do know that publishing those thoughts if they are "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character" is breaking the law.
It is way past the time that it is accepted that trolls have nothing to do with free speech and all to do with breaking the law.
I TOTALLY AGREE with you, but it works both ways doesnt it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 03:01:28 PM
@Lord_Sugar Well said Lord Sugar. Police have since confirmed she was not being investigated although media threatened her she was. #mccann 1:47pm - 6 Oct 14
So what price now, the 'dossier' ???
Thats DISGUSTING, that poor women. I hope her son sues the arse of Sky news.
The dossier is nothing but a WITCH HUNT. I wish someone would copy and paste all over the Internet the nasty and vile comments to people just discussing the McCanns case well Maddies case, as abuse is abuse surely.....
I think this is going to open up a huge can of worms, and perhaps in some odd way will do more damage then good to finding poor child.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 03:04:09 PM
Perhaps Brietta could fill us in on which of Ms Leyland's communications were "grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character".
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pegasus on October 06, 2014, 03:04:32 PM
Door-stepping is specifically referred to here in sky editorial guidelines link above:
"Any invasion of privacy – such as secret recording or ‘door-stepping’ – must be warranted, usually by demonstrating that the amount of public good that will be delivered by broadcast and/or publication of the story will outweigh the intrusion."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 03:06:20 PM
I TOTALLY AGREE with you, but it works both ways doesnt it.
Nah! the Posh Street Kids are like George Mparrbe. "What you has to understand is dat in de context of dis case, abuse is what dey say it is an' only one side can be de abused an dat is dem" Simples Nest please.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 03:09:11 PM
I TOTALLY AGREE with you, but it works both ways doesnt it.
The thread concerns trolls who have been abusing one family for over seven years some of the abuse is too graphic (literally) to be discussed in decent company.
I have a zero policy as far as abuse and bullying is concerned and will justify myself to no-one on that; but there is something intrinsically wrong and imo evil about people taking it on themselves to participate in a seven year abuse fest and think it is acceptable.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 03:10:26 PM
You do realize of course the police weren't investigating her.
Sky News took the law into their own hands.
The behaviour of vigilantes..........
Interesting tweet with Lord Sugar.... Point being made how can she be trolling the McCanns they are not on Twitter.
I dont necessarily agree with what she is purported to have written about the McCanns, but then you have to prove she actually did that herself, and someone who knows her and her log in name did not do it....its proof again isnt it. What a mess really.
The thread concerns trolls who have been abusing one family for over seven years some of the abuse is too graphic (literally) to be discussed in decent company.
I have a zero policy as far as abuse and bullying is concerned and will justify myself to no-one on that; but there is something intrinsically wrong and imo evil about people taking it on themselves to participate in a seven year abuse fest and think it is acceptable.
Then say the same to those who threatened to kill Amaral.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 06, 2014, 03:15:46 PM
Interesting tweet with Lord Sugar.... Point being made how can she be trolling the McCanns they are not on Twitter.
I dont necessarily agree with what she is purported to have written about the McCanns, but then you have to prove she actually did that herself, and someone who knows her and her log in name did not do it....its proof again isnt it. What a mess really.
And your defence of the Dr's McCanns, & their support group, is questionably unwavering, Eleanor.
Absolutely, but never questionably. I have done all of the questioning. The vast majority of McCann Supporters have.
I can read English, you know. So don't try that silly one on me.
I am absolutely certain that you could come up with something half way intelligent if you wanted to, that might be of use to this Forum. So cut the boring crap. Have whatever opinion you like. Just don't expect me to take you seriously.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 03:24:25 PM
Thats DISGUSTING, that poor women. I hope her son sues the arse of Sky news.
The dossier is nothing but a WITCH HUNT. I wish someone would copy and paste all over the Internet the nasty and vile comments to people just discussing the McCanns case well Maddies case, as abuse is abuse surely.....
I think this is going to open up a huge can of worms, and perhaps in some odd way will do more damage then good to finding poor child.
I hope that no one will copy what Brenda Leyland said. But that's the difference between you and me.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 06, 2014, 03:26:28 PM
Brenda's son Ben has left a simple message on Facebook and on Twitter...
I love you mum and I will miss you forever
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 03:27:35 PM
Then say the same to those who threatened to kill Amaral.
Being just a tad "economical with the actualité" are we? ... if not ... please provide an appropriate cite.
The claim was made … but absolutely nothing at all to do with Madeleine McCann’s case or evil trolls as you imply.
G. Amaral: Ameaçado de morte Gonçalo Amaral recusou-se ontem a fornecer a sua actual morada à juíza do Tribunal de Faro, alegando ter “recebido ameaças de morte”. O ex-inspector da PJ foi ouvido no julgamento de Aragão Correia e António Dores, acusados de difamação.
G. Amaral: Threatened with Death Gonçalo Amaral yesterday refused to provide his current address to the Judge of the Court of Faro, claiming to have "received death threats."
Former PJ inspector was heard at the trial of Antonio Aragon Correia and pains, accused of defamation.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 06, 2014, 03:43:37 PM
Brenda Leyland dead: Martin Brunt and Sky News face online backlash following death of Madeleine McCann parents' 'troll'
Sky News is facing an online backlash following the death of a woman accused of being an internet troll.
Brenda Leyland, 63, was identified as one of a number of "trolls" posting abusive messages aimed at Gerry and Kate McCann, whose daughter went missing in Portugal in 2007.
Mrs Leyland was found dead in a Leicestershire hotel on Saturday. Police have said the death is not being treated as suspicious and the circumstances surrounding her death were being investigated.
Brenda Leyland pictured with her son Ben. He has posted online "I love you, mum. I will miss you forever." Photo: Pixel 8000
Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down to her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News and confronted by reporter Martin Brunt about her online activities.
Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using a Twitter account to attack the McCanns, to which she replied: "I'm entitled to do that."
The encounter was shown on Thursday last week and the next day it was reported she had left the village.
Some Twitter users have now criticised Sky News for the report.
One Twitter user wrote: "Abhorrent hounding of a Woman who's mental strength was obviously unimportant to you. Shame on @Skynews @skymartinbrunt RIP #BrendaLeyland".
A Sky spokesman today told The Independent: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."
A Leicestershire Police spokesman said: "Officers were called at 1.42pm on Saturday October 4 following a report of Brenda Leyland being found deceased at a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park.
"Ms Leyland’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
"Officers acting on behalf of the Coroner will look into the circumstances surrounding and prior to her unexpected death."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 06, 2014, 03:57:24 PM
DOUBLE STANDARDS me thinks.
Kate McCann wrote in her book about GA...
"He deserves to be miserable and feel fear."
Read by thousands allegedly more so then what Leyland wrote, lets face it who would be following her anyway.....
So Brenda Leyland wrote this which she is being castigated for....:
“Q ‘how long must the Mccanns suffer’ answer ‘for the rest of their miserable lives’.”
Prayer tell me what is the difference?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 06, 2014, 04:05:07 PM
They are hosted on a Wikipedia-style site called "Mccann Hate Exposed". It was removed from the web sometime in the past week.
You appear to have missed my post - http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5340.msg190710#msg190710
You have continually made an allegation without backing it up ... I have found only one reference to death threats allegedly made to Dr Amaral ... totally unrelated to the McCanns ... I've shown you mine ... time for you to show me yours.
If you can't ... don't you think it is time to desist from repeating the allegation?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 04:28:02 PM
You appear to have missed my post - http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5340.msg190710#msg190710
You have continually made an allegation without backing it up ... I have found only one reference to death threats allegedly made to Dr Amaral ... totally unrelated to the McCanns ... I've shown you mine ... time for you to show me yours.
If you can't ... don't you think it is time to desist from repeating the allegation?
Stephen seems to have gone quiet &%+((£
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: jassi on October 06, 2014, 04:38:59 PM
They are hosted on a Wikipedia-style site called "Mccann Hate Exposed". It was removed from the web sometime in the past week.
Sky's own editorial guidelines say that their journalists must "keep written records and accurate, contemporaneous and detailed notes". Therefore, if the sleuthing and tracing of this lady was done by third-parties who then handed their stuff to sky, their identities will certainly be recorded, and will come out in the investigations which I expect ofcom and others will mount into the decision to approve the broadcast, a decision which must have been made by peeps considerably higher up than Mr Brunt - see the details of their compulsory (not optional) upward referral chain for approval of broadcasts involving intrusion such as doorstepping.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 06:02:15 PM
one question for you all to ponder over ..why did Brenda Leyland take her own life if she wasn't guilty of bullying and abuse ? and you cannot put the blame on martin brunt that's just a easy get out imo..
have a good day bbl ?{)(**
The hard lesson learned by these recent sad events is: if you don't think you could live with the shame of being unmasked as a 24/7 obsessive internet h8er, then turn off your computer and walk away now.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 06:26:00 PM
The hard lesson learned by these recent sad events is: if you don't think you could live with the shame of being unmasked as a 24/7 obsessive internet h8er, then turn off your computer and walk away now.
yes I agree with you...they shouldn't give it out if they cant face the consequences but will it be a lesson learned ? I doubt it...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 06:27:09 PM
The hard lesson learned by these recent sad events is: if you don't think you could live with the shame of being unmasked as a 24/7 obsessive internet h8er, then turn off your computer and walk away now.
Sound advice friend but your post is only being read by about 20 posters and 60 visitors. Having a letter printed in the MSM under your own name might have a bigger outreach.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Kazcutt on October 06, 2014, 06:28:05 PM
The hard lesson learned by these recent sad events is: if you don't think you could live with the shame of being unmasked as a 24/7 obsessive internet h8er, then turn off your computer and walk away now.
Or think before you post .you can say what you feel regarding the case Why would a stranger get so personally involved . Martin brunt was doing his job
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 06:32:35 PM
Or think before you post .you can say what you feel regarding the case Why would a stranger get so personally involved . Martin brunt was doing his job
8((()*/
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 06, 2014, 06:33:47 PM
Sound advice friend but your post is only being read by about 20 posters and 60 visitors. Having a letter printed in the MSM under your own name might have a bigger outreach.
Anyone posting opinion on the net in their own name runs the risk of suffering the same abuse as the McCanns...so not a very bright thing to do...too many nutters about
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 06, 2014, 06:38:18 PM
Or think before you post .you can say what you feel regarding the case Why would a stranger get so personally involved . Martin brunt was doing his job
There is a long tradition of investigative TV journalists pursuing an individual who they think may have acted improperly or illegally - it is part of the "freedom of the press" thing that I know many McCann "sceptics" have been vociferously supportive of. The irony is that perhaps if Hacked Off (Gerry McCann being an active member thereof) had had their way, Sky news might have had to think twice before going after Brenda Leyland in the way that they did.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 06:38:56 PM
Or think before you post .you can say what you feel regarding the case Why would a stranger get so personally involved . Martin brunt was doing his job
Why pray do you post on here then? You do not have to be involved. What an interesting viewpoint. He appears not have followed his company's guidelines. Many used the excuse "I was only doing my job" 8(>((
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 06:46:40 PM
Why pray do you post on here then? You do not have to be involved. What an interesting viewpoint. He appears not have followed his company's guidelines. Many used the excuse "I was only doing my job" 8(>((
guidelines are simply guidelines ...not rules
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 06:53:01 PM
Why pray do you post on here then? You do not have to be involved. What an interesting viewpoint. He appears not have followed his company's guidelines. Many used the excuse "I was only doing my job" 8(>((
You think Martin Brunt was acting off his own bat? How does one command a Sky Television Camera Crew?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carew on October 06, 2014, 06:54:27 PM
"Dr Claire Hardaker, a lecturer at Lancaster University and an expert in internet abuse, said that from the tweets she downloaded from Leyland's 'sweepyface' Twitter account, she would not have classified her as a "troll".
"I don't think she was a troll, she had very unpopular opinions, she was convinced that there had been a cover-up and that the British press and police were complicit. She called the McCann's fools, she called someone that she didn't agree with a 'f**ktard,' but that's about as bad as it got.
"She had entirely bought into the conspiracy theory, and she was a campaigner. She was tweeting the Daily Mail, Sky News, the Met Police, everyone to try to get them to investigate. She might have been misguided, but her intentions were to act in the little girl's best interests, and she was obsessive."
One of the most poignant tweets that Leyland sent, Hardaker said, was when she realised Martin Brunt was following her on Twitter. "She actually tweeted him asking him to investigate the theories she was passionate about."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 06:54:48 PM
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 06, 2014, 06:57:45 PM
The majority of the most popular comments left on the Daily Mail website currently about the campaign against Martin Brunt are, by a large margin, supportive of the unmasking of trolls by the media.
Anyone posting opinion on the net in their own name runs the risk of suffering the same abuse as the McCanns...so not a very bright thing to do...too many nutters about
To an extent I agree one only has to look on here to see some pretty undesirable nutter comments by both Posh Streeters and Bash Streeters that are removed by the mods. I suggested however that if Alfred were so concerned, writing to the papers would reach more folk than posting on here. Most MSM will not publish a letter without a name and address or having spoken to you on the phone just to make sure you are not some kind of shyster. Best thing is to have a shedful of email addy's for different applications and keep changing your IP. They ain't accurate to within 20 miles at best. Don't use facebook or tw..ter, never put personal info on that tinternet and if in doubt tell everyone your name is Orinoco w..ble with a SW19 address. Today's hound maybe tomorrow's fox. Be safe! *&*%£
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 07:00:16 PM
The majority of the most popular comments left on the Daily Mail website currently about the campaign against Martin Brunt are, by a large margin, supportive of the unmasking of trolls by the media.
Well, at least that is a sensible question. Tell me why she wasn't. I don't really know.
Quote
In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.]In Internet slang, a troll is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people, by posting inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.
Doesn't really apply to Sweepyface.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 07:15:44 PM
Granted. That leaves an element of responsibility all round. Now you have made comment on here not a lot better than Ms Leyland tweeted. Are you under those circumstances content to have a news crew on your doorstep broadcasting your mug all over the world just because you made a derogatory remark about Stephen or me? The answer is obvious ... you are on an anonymous site. Franz Stangl used the excuse he was only doing his job.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 07:17:14 PM
I think you might be right. But what does that make her? It just isn't acceptable to persistently accuse by 60 Tweets a day. Mayhap we need another definition of what these people are. Sorry. Unbelievers just won't do because it is obsessive.
Say's who?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Kazcutt on October 06, 2014, 07:19:06 PM
Why pray do you post on here then? You do not have to be involved. What an interesting viewpoint. He appears not have followed his company's guidelines. Many used the excuse "I was only doing my job" 8(>((
Why pray do you post on here then ?
I look in every now and then when something is in the news Wasn't this lady posting morning noon and night to the mccanns There is a difference in chatting on forums with people interested in the case than posting to the mccanns 247
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 07:20:33 PM
I look in every now and then when something is in the news Wasn't this lady posting morning noon and night to the mccanns There is a difference in chatting on forums with people interested in the case than posting to the mccanns 247
No, she wasn't.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 07:21:41 PM
McCann internet 'troll-hunting' site deleted after death
After the death of a woman who targeted the McCann family with online abuse, Channel 4 News finds a website that has assembled 27 dossiers on people it claims post "McCann hate".
Brenda Leyland, 63, from Burton Overy, Leicestershire, was said to be a "troll" who had targeted the McCanns with abusive messages on Twitter, and was found dead in a hotel on Saturday.
This was after a Sky News reporter confronted her outside her home last week. It is thought that Sky News may have used a dossier gathered by supporters of the McCanns to help them identify and find Leyland.
Channel 4 News has established that supporters of the McCann family have assembled at least 27 dossiers on both anonymous "trolls" and on those who are perceived to be "anti-McCann".
There is no indication at all of the McCanns being involved in or endorsing this activity themselves.
Gerry McCann last week told the BBC: "Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. I'm glad to say that there have been a number of people where police have taken action."
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the 80-page dossier that catalogues the "hate campaign" against the McCann family, which includes threats against their children.
Troll-hunter site The dossiers found by Channel 4 News have been created over a period of a number of years about online internet trolls who have targeted the McCanns.
They are hosted on a Wikipedia-style site called "Mccann Hate Exposed". It was removed from the web sometime in the past week.
Channel 4 News has seen archived copies of some page on the site that catalogue online abuse against the McCann family made by Twitter users.
The site seeks to track usernames and identities across the web, noting what usernames each person is using on sites including YouTube and web forums, and it includes details about their life in the real world.
The information in the dossiers names and unmasks some of the people who criticise or attack the McCanns.
The owners of the site have yet to respond to attempts made to contact them.
'Sweepyface' A dossier about Leyland's account "Sweepyface" was hosted on the Wiki site, but it is unclear if this is the same dossier that was handed to the police or the same information that was used by Sky News.
When Leyland was confronted by the Sky News reporter, it was put to her that she had posted messages attacking the family. She replied: "I'm entitled to do that."
The tweets levelled serious criticisms of the McCanns' behaviour following the disappearance of their daughter, as well as abuse directed at the couple.
One tweet allegedly posted by @Sweepyface, believed to be Leyland's Twitter account name, said the McCanns had "never had it so good".
Sky News issued a statement that says: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Ms Leyland's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry will not be saying anything. It is entirely a matter for the police."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Kazcutt on October 06, 2014, 07:23:05 PM
Why didn't Twitter close down the #McCann years ago then?
Surely, if what she & thousands of others, were/are doing is unacceptable, they would have done wouldn't they?
Why didn't the cops make them close it down, that & the facebook groups?
Indeed, why didn't they? The whole concept is pretty useless. But I think it might have something to do with Free Speach. That thing that everyone wants, but only for themselves.
People like me don't need a right to Free Speech.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 07:32:38 PM
I look in every now and then when something is in the news Wasn't this lady posting morning noon and night to the mccanns There is a difference in chatting on forums with people interested in the case than posting to the mccanns 247
With people on here suggesting that a "doubter" is somehow socially or mentally deficient you and me pal are not looking at the same bleedin' apples.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 06, 2014, 07:35:16 PM
McCann internet 'troll-hunting' site deleted after death
After the death of a woman who targeted the McCann family with online abuse, Channel 4 News finds a website that has assembled 27 dossiers on people it claims post "McCann hate".
Brenda Leyland, 63, from Burton Overy, Leicestershire, was said to be a "troll" who had targeted the McCanns with abusive messages on Twitter, and was found dead in a hotel on Saturday.
This was after a Sky News reporter confronted her outside her home last week. It is thought that Sky News may have used a dossier gathered by supporters of the McCanns to help them identify and find Leyland.
Channel 4 News has established that supporters of the McCann family have assembled at least 27 dossiers on both anonymous "trolls" and on those who are perceived to be "anti-McCann".
There is no indication at all of the McCanns being involved in or endorsing this activity themselves.
Gerry McCann last week told the BBC: "Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. I'm glad to say that there have been a number of people where police have taken action."
The Metropolitan Police is investigating the 80-page dossier that catalogues the "hate campaign" against the McCann family, which includes threats against their children.
Troll-hunter site The dossiers found by Channel 4 News have been created over a period of a number of years about online internet trolls who have targeted the McCanns.
They are hosted on a Wikipedia-style site called "Mccann Hate Exposed". It was removed from the web sometime in the past week.
Channel 4 News has seen archived copies of some page on the site that catalogue online abuse against the McCann family made by Twitter users.
The site seeks to track usernames and identities across the web, noting what usernames each person is using on sites including YouTube and web forums, and it includes details about their life in the real world.
The information in the dossiers names and unmasks some of the people who criticise or attack the McCanns.
The owners of the site have yet to respond to attempts made to contact them.
'Sweepyface' A dossier about Leyland's account "Sweepyface" was hosted on the Wiki site, but it is unclear if this is the same dossier that was handed to the police or the same information that was used by Sky News.
When Leyland was confronted by the Sky News reporter, it was put to her that she had posted messages attacking the family. She replied: "I'm entitled to do that."
The tweets levelled serious criticisms of the McCanns' behaviour following the disappearance of their daughter, as well as abuse directed at the couple.
One tweet allegedly posted by @Sweepyface, believed to be Leyland's Twitter account name, said the McCanns had "never had it so good".
Sky News issued a statement that says: "We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time."
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Ms Leyland's death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner.
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell said: "Kate and Gerry will not be saying anything. It is entirely a matter for the police."
If they are be ready for the howls of protest and screams of foul.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 07:43:52 PM
If they are be ready for the howls of protest and screams of foul.
Indeed !
Interesting that DCI has been very quiet since her attempt to 'out' me. Perhaps she now regrets saying this just the other day.
''m pleased to say I did do something Sadie, and have been for Seven years. I hope the Facebook trolls get the same treatment as the Twitter trolls.'
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pegasus on October 06, 2014, 08:39:32 PM
OFCOM rules say "8.11 Doorstepping for factual programmes should not take place unless a request for an interview has been refused or it has not been possible to request an interview, or there is good reason to believe that an investigation will be frustrated if the subject is approached openly, and it is warranted to doorstep."
Did Sky openly request an interview as required above, before they resorted to doorstepping?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 06, 2014, 08:47:38 PM
Lord SugarGeverifieerd account @Lord_Sugar
If the McCanns are not on Twitter, question must be asked who pointed out to media the so called trolling of the McCanns by Brenda Leyland
Now that is a very good question.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 08:59:44 PM
OFCOM rules say "8.11 Doorstepping for factual programmes should not take place unless a request for an interview has been refused or it has not been possible to request an interview, or there is good reason to believe that an investigation will be frustrated if the subject is approached openly, and it is warranted to doorstep."
Did Sky openly request an interview as required above, before they resorted to doorstepping?
That's something we do not know, Pesasus.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 06, 2014, 09:06:39 PM
Its normal to report a crime to the police, not the media.
it was reported to the police..who told the media?...I don't think it really matters...this online harassment is wrong...and if illegal should be stopped
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 09:07:53 PM
it was reported to the police..who told the media...I don't think it really matters...this online harassment is wrong...and if illegal should be stopped
Are you really suggesting that it was the Met who informed Sky News ?
Really ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 09:12:44 PM
neither have the mccanns...she admitted she had trolled the mccanns...the evidence is there for all to see..she may well have been arrested or interviewed. Some fault lies with posters who tell lies in their attacks against the mccanns..who claim what they are saying is acceptable and not libellous...it happens on here., There is a culture of harassment on the net which is not acceptable
The McCanns, they have told us, don't read Twitter and Mrs Leyland, as far as we are aware, had no direct contact with with them so how can she be accused of harassing them ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 09:51:40 PM
The McCanns, they have told us, don't read Twitter and Mrs Leyland, as far as we are aware, had no direct contact with with them so how can she be accused of harassing them ?
you need to read the relevant legislation...whether the mccanns read it or not they were being harassed...it's impossible to justify her behaviour...she was wrong to do what she did...people need to understand that
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 06, 2014, 09:53:42 PM
you need to read the relevant legislation...whether the mccanns read it or not they were being harassed...it's impossible to justify her behaviour...she was wrong to do what she did...people need to understand that
I am sure you will show us the relevant legislation?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 06, 2014, 09:54:01 PM
I find it in many cases it would be the fault of those who make up the stories about the McCanns, the stories which poor Brenda and her likes tend to believe. Like for example Gerry dropping a fridge into rubbish depot. Or the McCanns killing their child with Calpol. Your mind has to be slightly twisted to believe in that.. and there are people who know this very well and who use it for their advantage. I am not going to name them as on the end of the day it is up to us to try and think rationally.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 09:54:28 PM
you need to read the relevant legislation...whether the mccanns read it or not they were being harassed...it's impossible to justify her behaviour...she was wrong to do what she did...people need to understand that
People also need to know that placing your children in unnecessary danger merely to go out 'socializing' is an abhorrence.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 06, 2014, 09:56:29 PM
Brenda has been named a Troll and mud sticks im afraid so that's what she'll be known as ...shame for her family especially her son who she didn't give a thought to ..my pity goes to him poor lad .. 8(8-))
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 06, 2014, 09:59:11 PM
you need to read the relevant legislation...whether the mccanns read it or not they were being harassed...it's impossible to justify her behaviour...she was wrong to do what she did...people need to understand that
Most people do Davel.
If you steal from someone but they don't realise it, does it mean it's Ok? Of course not. Same with posting disgusting abuse about someone 24/7, it matters not if the victim is aware of it, it's still morally wrong and should be illegal too, imo.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 06, 2014, 10:00:11 PM
127 Improper use of public electronic communications network
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.
(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,
(b)causes such a message to be sent; or
(c)persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).
Brenda has been named a Troll and mud sticks im afraid so that's what she'll be known as ...shame for her family especially her son who she didn't give a thought to ..my pity goes to him poor lad .. 8(8-))
good point
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 06, 2014, 10:02:40 PM
If you steal from someone but they don't realise it, does it mean it's Ok? Of course not. Same with posting disgusting abuse about someone 24/7, it matters not if the victim is aware of it, it's still morally wrong and should be illegal too, imo.
I'm sure it is illegal but the internet is relatively young....and the interpretation of the law relating to it in it's infancy
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 06, 2014, 10:29:35 PM
If you steal from someone but they don't realise it, does it mean it's Ok? Of course not. Same with posting disgusting abuse about someone 24/7, it matters not if the victim is aware of it, it's still morally wrong and should be illegal too, imo.
Dear old Alf with a record of implying doubters are paedophiles, socially and mentally inadequate etc. Don't ya just love it when he gets all pious. *&*%£
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 06, 2014, 11:06:10 PM
I didnt fully understand what a Troll wasm.so looked it up along with the law:-
----------------------------- Online Stalking, Bullying, and Sex Crimes Some of the most serious computer crimes have nothing to do with making money, achieving political objectives, or showing off a hacker’s skills. Instead, they are designed to cause emotional trauma to the victim. Social media websites provide offenders with the ability to publish hurtful or embarrassing material as a way of inflicting harm on others. Once photographs or other items are posted and circulated online, they can be impossible for the victim to remove. The fallout from these kinds of activities is especially devastating for school age children, who tend to be more sensitive to social harassment.
http://www.hg.org/computer-crime.html ------------------------------------------------------ In Internet slang, a troll (/ˈtroʊl/, /ˈtrɒl/) is a person who sows discord on the Internet by starting arguments or upsetting people,[1] by posting inflammatory,[2] extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community (such as a newsgroup, forum, chat room, or blog) with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response[3] or of otherwise disrupting normal on-topic discussion.[4]
This sense of the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, but have been used more widely. Media attention in recent years has equated trolling with online harassment. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[5][6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 06, 2014, 11:48:19 PM
I have a question. I don't follow twitter and I have no nerves and need for that but this article:
Sky News may face Ofcom inquiry after complaints over death of McCann ‘troll’
Robert Booth and Tara Conlan The Guardian, Monday 6 October 2014 21.25 BST
Brenda Leyland in the Sky film. One of her tweets read: ‘Q “how long must the McCanns suffer” answer “for the rest of their miserable lives”.’ The broadcaster Sky is facing a possible Ofcom investigation after a woman was found dead in a hotel just days after a news team confronted her on camera over suspected online attacks on Kate and Gerry McCann. Sky said it was “saddened” by her death.
The TV regulator said it was assessing 60 complaints about Sky News’s doorstepping of Brenda Leyland, mostly made after news of her death broke on Sunday.
Leicestershire police on Monday confirmed that the death of the 63-year-old mother in a Marriott hotel was not being treated as suspicious and announced that “officers acting on behalf of the coroner will look into the circumstances surrounding and prior to her unexpected death”.
According to a record of her now-deleted Twitter account, which appears to be genuine, Leyland, from the Leicestershire village of Burton Overy, had stated that she “hated” the McCanns, whose three-year-old daughter Madeleine went missing in Portugal in 2007.
She also said she believed Kate McCann “lies compulsively, every detail, every emotion is a lie”.
She posted using the pseudonym Sweepyface, and last November tweeted the BBC programme Crimewatch: “I think you and the Met know as millions of us do that the McCanns may be complicit in Madeleines fate, don’t let us down !!”
In the same month she tweeted: “Q ‘how long must the McCanns suffer’ answer ‘for the rest of their miserable lives’.”
A Sky News reporter, Martin Brunt, confronted Leyland about her attacks after a dossier on the internet activity of an anti-McCann group, including Leyland, was passed to the Metropolitan police. She told Brunt she was “entitled” to attack them and said she was not worried about her case being examined by prosecutors. Brunt, who is understood to be upset at the news, has not commented since, but denied any form of harassment last week. He said in an online question-and-answer session: “Show me where I stalked, chased. There was none of that.”
Scotland Yard said on Monday that detectives leading Operation Grange, an investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance, were assessing the evidence in the dossier about the anti-McCann web users and they were “consulting with the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service] and the McCann family”. Neither Leyland, nor any other individual named in the dossier, has been interviewed.
A spokesman for the CPS said: “Police have alerted us to this information and an early discussion has taken place.” The Guardian understands the story was looked at by Sky’s lawyers before it was broadcast and Sky is confident proper procedures had been followed.
A Sky spokesperson said: “We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time.”
Sky News’ guidelines state: “Any grounds for an investigation that involves significant intrusion into any individual’s privacy must be very strong. Before we start out we must be certain that any such intrusion is outweighed by the seriousness of the story and the amount of public good that will be delivered by its publication and/or broadcast.”
Ofcom said it would study the footage of the broadcasts before deciding whether to launch a formal investigation. Relevant sections of the broadcasting code are thought to include whether Sky has caused harm and offence, or breached standards of fairness and privacy.
Gerry McCann told the BBC’s Today programme last week that he wanted to see more people charged over internet abuse, but said he had not read Leyland’s tweets. That has raised questions about whether she should be considered a “troll”. The McCanns have declined to comment on Leyland’s death.
The case has exposed a bitter online war between supporters of the McCann family and others who use social media to claim there has been a cover-up over the disappearance of Madeleine.
Supporters of Leyland, with whom she exchanged hundreds of tweets about the McCann case in the weeks before she was confronted, claimed on Monday that she was the victim of a “snitch dossier” compiled by supporters of the McCann family. They even listed more than two dozen Twitter users who they described as “known trolls who support Kate and Gerry McCann”.
A Facebook group has been set up demanding the sacking of Martin Brunt and Leyland’s supporters deny that she is a troll. Most of the tweets in her now-deleted account appear to be about the behaviour of other Twitter users who support the McCanns rather than the McCanns themselves. But most are tagged #mccann, which means that anyone searching under that term would see them, and several amounted to direct attacks. One questioned why Kate McCann didn’t look “haunted, grief stricken” days after her daughter went missing. Another said: “I ‘hate’ cruelty, liars, those who profit from an others tragedy, ergo my ‘hate for Kate and Gerry’ is justified.
Claire Hardaker, a researcher in flaming, trolling, cyberbullying, and online grooming at Lancaster University, questioned whether Leyland should be considered a troll at all. “She describes [the McCanns] as neglectful parents, objects to their ongoing media appearances, and complains that they are profiting from their daughter’s disappearance,” she said. “And when people challenge her, she calls them unpleasant names, disputes their evidence, and blocks them.
“In short, her conduct would aggravate some, and deeply offend others, but much the same could be said of select comedians, journalists and celebrities, who can reach millions. Brenda Leyland’s account had a mere 182 followers by the time it suddenly vanished. The crucial question, however, is: did she incite others to harm the McCanns? Or threaten to abduct the McCanns’ other children? Or pose any kind of clear menace? On Twitter at least it doesn’t seem so.”
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 07, 2014, 12:48:52 AM
claims that sweepyface contacted Martin Brunt several times seeking attention prior to him actually approaching her.
Is this true?
I don't 'do' twitter, so cannot answer your question. However I do agree with every word Grace Dent says in her article - so thankyou for posting it ViXTE.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 12:49:55 AM
Her messages are near the top I could see 2 where she was aking him something
Ah, OK. Thank you. This means that sweepyface contacted Martin Brunt first and made herself noticeable. This is probably why they call her 'troll'. Why would anyone want to contact Marin Brunt and seek his attention?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carew on October 07, 2014, 02:05:26 AM
Ah, OK. Thank you. This means that sweepyface contacted Martin Brunt first and made herself noticeable. This is probably why they call her 'troll'. Why would anyone want to contact Marin Brunt and seek his attention?
This seems to indicate that M. Brunt sought her out first?
One of the most poignant tweets that Leyland sent, Hardaker said, was when she realised Martin Brunt was following her on Twitter. "She actually tweeted him asking him to investigate the theories she was passionate about."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 07, 2014, 06:43:04 AM
This death has opened up a can of worms.
She was not a TROLL. If they call her a troll, then EVERYONE on this forum is one too even the pros as they are trolling and abusing the against and vice versa non of us can say who caste the first stone.
She was only saying what a lot of people were saying elsewhere on and off line, in homes, pubs and bars etc.
May she rest in peace. I wish she had not decided to harm herself, as she would have had a lot of support to get through this.
Bless her.
NON of this argie bargie is going to find Maddy. It takes away from that sadly.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 07:47:07 AM
This Independent journalist makes a very good point...
Mr. Brunt is now being accused by some sections of “hounding” Ms. Leyland to her death. This seems extreme. Reporters have been doorstepping people and requesting answers on British television for the past 50 years. Are we now saying that in this new internet age, any person who draws attention to themselves vehemently but anonymously online is out of bounds for reporters?
Are we saying that we must accept that internet users working anonymously to spread misery are most probably mentally delicate and fuelled on their own shortcomings, so let’s leave be? Should a person's privacy be respected even if their modus operandi is disrespecting privacy? The only certainty this incident has underlined is we have no strong idea how to tackle harmful internet unpleasantness, aside from “ignore”.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 07:47:32 AM
She was not a TROLL. If they call her a troll, then EVERYONE on this forum is one too even the [ censored word ] as they are trolling and abusing the against and vice versa non of us can say who caste the first stone.
She was only saying what a lot of people were saying elsewhere on and off line, in homes, pubs and bars etc.
May she rest in peace. I wish she had not decided to harm herself, as she would have had a lot of support to get through this.
Bless her.
NON of this argie bargie is going to find Maddy. It takes away from that sadly.
Well said. 8@??)( 8@??)( 8@??)(
I see brunt has gone quiet on twitter. I wonder why ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 07:50:26 AM
This Independent journalist makes a very good point...
Mr. Brunt is now being accused by some sections of “hounding” Ms. Leyland to her death. This seems extreme. Reporters have been doorstepping people and requesting answers on British television for the past 50 years. Are we now saying that in this new internet age, any person who draws attention to themselves vehemently but anonymously online is out of bounds for reporters?
Are we saying that we must accept that internet users working anonymously to spread misery are most probably mentally delicate and fuelled on their own shortcomings, so let’s leave be? Should a person's privacy be respected even if their modus operandi is disrespecting privacy? The only certainty this incident has underlined is we have no strong idea how to tackle harmful internet unpleasantness, aside from “ignore”.
The police weren't investigating her.
Sky News claimed they were.
What she did was wrong, but Sky News has lived down and reflected the often perceived low-life nature of some journalists.
Shw would not be dead, if sky hadn't CALLED ON HER.
IMO of course.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 07, 2014, 07:54:06 AM
This Independent journalist makes a very good point...
Mr. Brunt is now being accused by some sections of “hounding” Ms. Leyland to her death. This seems extreme. Reporters have been doorstepping people and requesting answers on British television for the past 50 years. Are we now saying that in this new internet age, any person who draws attention to themselves vehemently but anonymously online is out of bounds for reporters?
Are we saying that we must accept that internet users working anonymously to spread misery are most probably mentally delicate and fuelled on their own shortcomings, so let’s leave be? Should a person's privacy be respected even if their modus operandi is disrespecting privacy? The only certainty this incident has underlined is we have no strong idea how to tackle harmful internet unpleasantness, aside from “ignore”.
Found any legislation that fits yet, have we dave?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 07:58:42 AM
A bit like claiming you are getting obscene phone calls on a number you don't have....
Did Sally Bercow tweet Lord McAlpine directly?
The High Court wasn't too concerned when they found her guilty of libel ... it cost her quite a bit of money into the bargain.
What she said appears quite innocuous ... but it was designed to impugn a man's character ... a quick glance at some of the things which are constantly posted by people trolling the McCann family proves it has has got entirely out of hand.
It has reached the stage where if we are to consider ourselves a civilised society ... it has to be stopped.
>>snipped<<
A tweet by Commons Speaker's wife Sally Bercow about Lord McAlpine was libellous, the High Court in London has ruled.
Lawyers for Lord McAlpine said the tweet - which read "Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*"- pointed "the finger of blame" at the Tory peer during a media frenzy over allegations of child sex abuse. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/24/lord-mcalpine-sally-bercow-twitter_n_3330483.html
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 07, 2014, 09:15:48 AM
The High Court wasn't too concerned when they found her guilty of libel ... it cost her quite a bit of money into the bargain.
What she said appears quite innocuous ... but it was designed to impugn a man's character ... a quick glance at some of the things which are constantly posted by people trolling the McCann family proves it has has got entirely out of hand.
It has reached the stage where if we are to consider ourselves a civilised society ... it has to be stopped.
>>snipped<<
A tweet by Commons Speaker's wife Sally Bercow about Lord McAlpine was libellous, the High Court in London has ruled.
Lawyers for Lord McAlpine said the tweet - which read "Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*"- pointed "the finger of blame" at the Tory peer during a media frenzy over allegations of child sex abuse. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/24/lord-mcalpine-sally-bercow-twitter_n_3330483.html
All the McCanns need do really then, under current legislation is, sue everyone on twitter.
Shouldn't take long should it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 07, 2014, 09:26:48 AM
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 07, 2014, 09:43:05 AM
Clarence Mitchell (Radio 5 live 07.01.2011)
"...To this day there is a very small but highly vocal minority online; the joys of the Internet. The Internet is a wonderful thing but it has its downside, as we all know. There is a very vocal but very small minority of people who believe Kate and Gerry were negligent and to this day they rail and rant against them. They are powerless, they know nothing and it... it's totally irrelevant. But we keep a... a weather eye on what they're saying and if action needs to be taken, in certain cases, then it is."
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:00:44 AM
"...To this day there is a very small but highly vocal minority online; the joys of the Internet. The Internet is a wonderful thing but it has its downside, as we all know. There is a very vocal but very small minority of people who believe Kate and Gerry were negligent and to this day they rail and rant against them. They are powerless, they know nothing and it... it's totally irrelevant. But we keep a... a weather eye on what they're saying and if action needs to be taken, in certain cases, then it is."
This from the man whom likes to control the 'truth'.
The classic faux pas from Mitchell.
"I believe Kate and Gerry are not responsible for Madeleine's death"
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 07, 2014, 10:18:25 AM
What she did was wrong, but Sky News has lived down and reflected the often perceived low-life nature of some journalists.
Shw would not be dead, if sky hadn't CALLED ON HER.
IMO of course.
No-one can say at this time why she took her own life. IMO Martin Brunt was very civil to her and made a point of stating that she was not one of the worst offenders. IMO her responses gave no clue as to what was to come.
Pure speculation on my part but Mrs Leyland was able to spend enough time alone in a hotel room to do what she did - which would suggest that the people who one would expect to be rallying round and supporitng her at such a time - simply did not know she was in such distress or what she was planning to do . And if that is the case then why would anyone expect Martin Brunt to have any idea?
Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 07, 2014, 10:20:16 AM
The High Court wasn't too concerned when they found her guilty of libel ... it cost her quite a bit of money into the bargain.
What she said appears quite innocuous ... but it was designed to impugn a man's character ... a quick glance at some of the things which are constantly posted by people trolling the McCann family proves it has has got entirely out of hand.
It has reached the stage where if we are to consider ourselves a civilised society ... it has to be stopped.
>>snipped<<
A tweet by Commons Speaker's wife Sally Bercow about Lord McAlpine was libellous, the High Court in London has ruled.
Lawyers for Lord McAlpine said the tweet - which read "Why is Lord McAlpine trending? *Innocent face*"- pointed "the finger of blame" at the Tory peer during a media frenzy over allegations of child sex abuse. http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/05/24/lord-mcalpine-sally-bercow-twitter_n_3330483.html
Slight difference between libel and harassment...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 10:21:46 AM
"...To this day there is a very small but highly vocal minority online; the joys of the Internet. The Internet is a wonderful thing but it has its downside, as we all know. There is a very vocal but very small minority of people who believe Kate and Gerry were negligent and to this day they rail and rant against them. They are powerless, they know nothing and it... it's totally irrelevant. But we keep a... a weather eye on what they're saying and if action needs to be taken, in certain cases, then it is."
Now why in the world would anyone want to do a thing like that on a continuous basis?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 07, 2014, 10:22:09 AM
This from the man whom likes to control the 'truth'.
The classic faux pas from Mitchell.
"I believe Kate and Gerry are not responsible for Madeleine's death"
Ah yes we must never forget that unlike everyone else on the planet - neither the McCanns nor anyone associated with them are ever allowed to have a slip of the tongue.
Remind me Stephen - how many times did you call me Benita the other day?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 10:25:11 AM
This from the man whom likes to control the 'truth'.
The classic faux pas from Mitchell.
"I believe Kate and Gerry are not responsible for Madeleine's death"
Clutch at straws if it keeps you happy ... good to see you have a proper cite provided by someone else ... cites aren't your strong point ... or you would have given us one to prove your assertion about alleged death threats made to Dr Amaral. I found you one ... but it doesn't appear to be to your liking because it has nothing at all to do with the Drs McCann or internet trolls.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:25:22 AM
No-one can say at this time why she took her own life. IMO Martin Brunt was very civil to her and made a point of stating that she was not one of the worst offenders. IMO her responses gave no clue as to what was to come.
Pure speculation on my part but Mrs Leyland was able to spend enough time alone in a hotel room to do what she did - which would suggest that the people who one would expect to be rallying round and supporitng her at such a time - simply did not know she was in such distress or what she was planning to do . And if that is the case then why would anyone expect Martin Brunt to have any idea?
Hindsight is indeed a wonderful thing.
Sky said the police were investigating her.
That was a LIE.
Sky was merely in pursuit of a story and headlines.
Brenda was wrong in what she did, but it doesn't excuse what sky did to her.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:29:20 AM
Ah yes we must never forget that unlike everyone else on the planet - neither the McCanns nor anyone associated with them are ever allowed to have a slip of the tongue.
Remind me Stephen - how many times did you call me Benita the other day?
How desperate you are.
How can you compare the two ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 10:30:22 AM
Both are breaking the law ... both are designed to cause maximum distress ... both are devices used constantly against the whole McCann family ... not for a day but for over seven years.
But that's all right then ...
Just think about it ... imagine if it were you or your family ... then make your excuses on behalf of the perpetrators.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:30:57 AM
Clutch at straws if it keeps you happy ... good to see you have a proper cite provided by someone else ... cites aren't your strong point ... or you would have given us one to prove your assertion about alleged death threats made to Dr Amaral. I found you one ... but it doesn't appear to be to your liking because it has nothing at all to do with the Drs McCann or internet trolls.
You really do need to read around.
It might help.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 10:31:57 AM
Very off topic but a quick one for motorbike fans everywhere If you cross a Gilera with a Lambretta do you get a Giletta? Reasonable cos a Norton Triumph cross was called a Triton &%+((£
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:33:38 AM
Both are breaking the law ... both are designed to cause maximum distress ... both are devices used constantly against the whole McCann family ... not for a day but for over seven years.
But that's all right then ...
Just think about it ... imagine if it were you or your family ... then make your excuses on behalf of the perpetrators.
Unfortunately, the cause of Madeleine's disappearance hasn't been ascertained, and neither of course the person or persons responsible.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 10:37:10 AM
Now why in the world would anyone want to do a thing like that on a continuous basis?
Why indeed?
The quote is dated 2011.
The abuse has not stopped in the intervening period ... it is now 2014.
The law has been consistently broken and nothing has been done about it except for a brief flurry when there was a chance the London Marathon might have been disrupted.
Just not acceptable in a so called civilised country.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 07, 2014, 10:39:13 AM
Both are breaking the law ... both are designed to cause maximum distress ... both are devices used constantly against the whole McCann family ... not for a day but for over seven years.
But that's all right then ...
Just think about it ... imagine if it were you or your family ... then make your excuses on behalf of the perpetrators.
Yes, but to harass you have to interact.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 07, 2014, 10:45:34 AM
I am pointing out that everyone can make a mistake and unintentionally use the wrong word occasionally without any sinister implications being drawn from it. What more possible proof do you need than the FACT that very recently you made exactly the same mistake yourself.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 10:49:44 AM
Unfortunately, the cause of Madeleine's disappearance hasn't been ascertained, and neither of course the person or persons responsible.
So that is how you justify a seven year hate campaign for which there can be no justification ???
If Madeleine's parents had just quietly packed their bags, gone home, kept their heads down and most importantly of all kept quiet and stopped looking for Madeleine - you and I would not be having this exchange now.
It is precisely because they are trying to have the cause of Madeleine's disappearance ascertained and precisely because they are trying to ascertain who is responsible ... and have been loud and tireless about doing it ... that they have suffered seven years of internet abuse from people who have put every obstacle possible in their path.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:51:08 AM
I am pointing out that everyone can make a mistake and unintentionally use the wrong word occasionally without any sinister implications being drawn from it. What more possible proof do you need than the FACT that very recently you made exactly the same mistake yourself.
I see, benice vs. benita.
One word...............................
Not a whole sentence, was it ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 10:53:38 AM
So that is how you justify a seven year hate campaign for which there can be no justification ???
If Madeleine's parents had just quietly packed their bags, gone home, kept their heads down and most importantly of all kept quiet and stopped looking for Madeleine - you and I would not be having this exchange now.
It is precisely because they are trying to have the cause of Madeleine's disappearance ascertained and precisely because they are trying to ascertain who is responsible ... and have been loud and tireless about doing it ... that they have suffered seven years of internet abuse from people who have put every obstacle possible in their path.
As I said, the person or persons responsible for Madeleine's disappearance have not been identified.
REMEMBER THAT.
After all, who was responsible for leaving their children by themselves in the first place, when anyopne with half a brain would never have done that.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 11:00:31 AM
As I said, the person or persons responsible for Madeleine's disappearance have not been identified.
REMEMBER THAT.
After all, who was responsible for leaving their children by themselves in the first place, when anyopne with half a brain would never have done that.
As well as making comments which you cannot substantiate you have just given a perfect example of the mindset which has fuelled the trolls for over seven years.
Absolutely pathetic.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 07, 2014, 11:08:10 AM
You made the same mistake several times when you unintentionally ( I presume) called me benita. IMO it was a 'slip of the tongue' and all you are proving to me now is that you cannot admit it.
Anyway I'll leave you to have the last word - as I know how important that is to you - and we have already strayed way off topic.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 11:27:38 AM
As well as making comments which you cannot substantiate you have just given a perfect example of the mindset which has fuelled the trolls for over seven years.
Absolutely pathetic.
Not pathetic brietta.
Just the truth.
The mccanns exposed their children to unnecessary danger.
FACT.
You can say anything you wish but that remains the truth.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 11:29:05 AM
You made the same mistake several times when you unintentionally ( I presume) called me benita. IMO it was a 'slip of the tongue' and all you are proving to me now is that you cannot admit it.
Anyway I'll leave you to have the last word - as I know how important that is to you - and we have already strayed way off topic.
Not at all.
it is what he said.
Me, I got two letters of the alphabet wrong.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 07, 2014, 11:34:18 AM
This poor lady have 182 followers on Twitter. It turns out the Brunt started following her, probably as he was pointed towards her tweets by someone in support of the McCanns.
Brenda Layland noticed he was following her, and asked him several questions, then he turned up at her home.
ONE HUNDRED & EIGHTY TWO FOLLOWERS...
The McCanns have stated they have never heard of her, or read her tweets, so how could she have been trolling them?
This is just another case of trail by media again.
Even the EXPERTS have said she was not classed as a TROLL.
I wish the newpapers, especially Sky would RETRACT this statement and at least give this women some dignity in death.
She had a beef about the McCanns, she never hid this, and contacted BBC, and Crimewatch. I applaude her at least she the guts to do this. She was only thinking the same as thousands of others who spend hours discussing the case, WHO CASTE THE FIRST STONE.
We are entitled to have our opinions on a case isnt that what freedom of speech is about.
NOW IF SHE OPENELY harressed them, and called them vile names its different. She didnt.
I really hope she didnt die with this horrible stain on her memory and that it is removed and she is vindicated.
There is no crime she has committed, she has said what she thinks happened and if people dont agree then thats up to them, but it is not a CRIME.
GOD REST IN PEACE, hun. Shame you didnt feel you could stay and fight this. xxx
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 07, 2014, 11:34:49 AM
Before you open the link please be aware that the content is very graphic
that's funny because you done the same with my user as did wonderspam... 8(0(*
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 11:39:48 AM
Raine would appear to be a seriously disturbed person just as most trolls are.
Were I truly concerned about the content of her tweets ... I would not have posted them here ... I would have reported them to the police.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 07, 2014, 11:41:31 AM
Trial by media ? the McCanns are being tried by the internet trolls ..Is that ok then ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 07, 2014, 11:42:40 AM
And there's more but this time from the usual suspects and much earlier this year.
444893355785584640|Sat Mar 15 17:50:16 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @Josephodriscoll I should have said she wruff! She only has doggies for companions &cruelly dresses them up like reindeer #McCann
444890597762289664|Sat Mar 15 17:39:18 +0000 2014|@alfibab3 @WAWinter1 @sweepyface It is her Jasmine so look at other tweets. #McCann
444890360167534592|Sat Mar 15 17:38:22 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface yes that Brenda is sweepyface & lives too close to the #McCann s for my comfort tbh. #McCann
444889758825975808|Sat Mar 15 17:35:58 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface here she is on some fb page:https://www.facebook.com/andrew.g.doe/posts/10153328825475510 #McCann. Take a look at the boxer!
444888250692669441|Sat Mar 15 17:29:59 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface ugh! She is one ugly Mama #McCann
1.@Diddybird51 @WAWinter1 @sweepyface <<<is Brenda Leyland who works at my very own Peterborough Health Trust! Who'da thunk it? #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 22:32:17 +0000 2014 2.@BroGeorgeMadman @WAWinter1 Because Brenda is very obviously @sweepyface. Tom. #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:18:14 +0000 2014 3.@WAWinter1 Oops, forget that @Sweepyface Brenda has closed her fb account this very evening...lol! Too late, we have her measure. #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:17:22 +0000 2014 4.@WAWinter1 Brenda has blocked me on facebook...says it all! #Mccann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:14:29 +0000 2014 5.@WAWinter1 @SafariSara @Josephodriscoll Is this her because she works at my own NHS Hospital Trust!!http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Brenda/Leyland #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 18:42:26 +0000 2014
6.@WAWinter1 @SafariSara @Josephodriscoll likely to do anything that Brenda Leyland of Leicester! #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 18:16:11 +0000 2014
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 07, 2014, 11:57:39 AM
ONLINE TROLLS: WHO’S HOUNDING WHO? BRENDAN O’NEILL EDITOR Brenda Leyland's death suggests trollhunters are far worse than trolls. W 6 OCTOBER 2014 100 COMMENTS Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email More Sharing Services 194 GET SPIKED BY EMAIL
hat is the greatest menace to the liberty and liveliness of the internet? Is it, as we’re forever being told, ‘trolls’, those mostly anonymous saddos who live on Twitter and lurk in discussion threads, hurling offensive and sometimes abusive comments at people? Or is it the trollhunters, the self-styled cleansers of internet culture who have marshalled the media, the police, the courts, the prison system and the political class to their mission of exposing trolls and mopping up the online world? It’s the latter. Trollhunters are the scourge of the internet. Yes, trolls can be annoying, and even scary sometimes. I’ve had my fair share of emailed death threats, discussion threads devoted to telling me what a cock I am, and even a bag of shit with one of my articles in it hand-delivered to my office (old-school trolling). But the trollhunters, from misogyny-policing feminists to the papers that splash photos of trolls across their front pages to the police who arrest them in dawn raids, do something far worse than any vocab-challenged bloke with a grudge and an internet connection could ever hope to achieve. They chill and sanitise the internet, and invite the criminalisation of more and more forms of online speech. This morning it is reported that Brenda Leyland, a 63-year-old who was suspected of trolling the parents of murdered schoolgirl Madeleine McCann, has been ‘found dead’ in a hotel room. It is thought she committed suicide. If this is true, we may never discover why: as the Samaritans never tire of telling us, there is rarely one single cause to a suicide. But we do know that Ms Leyland’s death followed her exposure as a ‘troll’ by Sky News. A Sky reporter doorstepped her and informed her she was one of ‘dozens’ of trolls whose anonymous online behaviour had been reported to the police by supporters of the McCanns and was now being investigated. What happened next was blackly ironic: Ms Leyland was trolled. She was, as Anorak magazine described it, ‘monstered’ by the media and by tweeters sympathetic to the McCanns. Images of her made to look like a blood-stained monster spread through Twitter. She was branded old and ugly and a bitch. A Mirror columnist called her a ‘twisted, f..ked-up bitch’. The rest of the media was more polite but nonetheless had a field day at the expense of this ‘churchgoing mother-of-two’ and ‘well-spoken middle-class woman’ who was secretly writing ‘vile’ tweets about the McCanns. Her photo appeared everywhere. And so was the troll trolled, the monster monstered, the woman suspected of writing disgusting tweets subjected to disgusting tweets, the witch burnt. A few hours after this tsunami of anti-troll trolling came her way, Ms Leyland was found dead. The online mob, the giddy, foul-mouthed organisers of the darkly ironic trolling of this alleged troll, are not responsible for Ms Leyland’s death. If she took her own life, it was her decision, her action. But her treatment over the past 48 hours nonetheless shines a harsh light on the new national bloodsport of hunt-the-troll.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 12:02:06 PM
And there's more but this time from the usual suspects and much earlier this year.
444893355785584640|Sat Mar 15 17:50:16 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @Josephodriscoll I should have said she wruff! She only has doggies for companions &cruelly dresses them up like reindeer #McCann
444890597762289664|Sat Mar 15 17:39:18 +0000 2014|@alfibab3 @WAWinter1 @sweepyface It is her Jasmine so look at other tweets. #McCann
444890360167534592|Sat Mar 15 17:38:22 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface yes that Brenda is sweepyface & lives too close to the #McCann s for my comfort tbh. #McCann
444889758825975808|Sat Mar 15 17:35:58 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface here she is on some fb page:https://www.facebook.com/andrew.g.doe/posts/10153328825475510 #McCann. Take a look at the boxer!
444888250692669441|Sat Mar 15 17:29:59 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface ugh! She is one ugly Mama #McCann
I don't see the connection between posters choosing to hurl abuse at one another on Twitter and a sustained hate campaign on Twitter or Facebook directed against ONE specific family.
The police are investigating the relentless and online abuse of one family which long ago reached unacceptable proportions. And about time too IMO.
IMO Facebook and Twitter also need a kick up the backside at the same time. Surely in this day and age they have the technology to ban people and close the doors to any attempts by them to rejoin?
But then I am a a complete computer technophobe - so what do I know.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 12:36:19 PM
And all this from the sort of people who would probably apologise to you for having their foot in the way were you to tread on it. If you see my drift.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 01:46:07 PM
Not necessary.... .The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry this is all I can post right now….There are too many pages, which I am still reading…………………..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) Communications which are grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or false
31. Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send or cause to be sent through a "public electronic communications network" a message or other matter that is "grossly offensive" or of an "indecent, obscene or menacing character". The same section also provides that it is an offence to send or cause to be sent a false message "for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another". The defendant must be shown to have intended or be aware that the message was grossly offensive, indecent or menacing, which can be inferred from the terms of the message or from the defendant's knowledge of the likely recipient. The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it. 33.Every day many millions of communications are sent via social media and the application of section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 to such comments creates the potential that a very large number of cases could be prosecuted before the courts. Taking together, for example, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, there are likely to be hundreds of millions of communications every month.
Cyber stalking Harassment can take place on the internet and through the misuse of email. This is sometimes known as 'cyberstalking'. This can include the use of social networking sites, chat rooms and other forums facilitated by technology. The internet can be used for a range of purposes relating to harassment, for example: to locate personal information about a victim; to communicate with the victim; as a means of surveillance of the victim; identity theft such as subscribing the victim to services, purchasing goods and services in their name; damaging the reputation of the victim; electronic sabotage such as spamming and sending viruses; or tricking other internet users into harassing or threatening a victim. Further guidance can be found in Communications Offences, elsewhere in the Legal Guidance http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/stalking_and_harassment/#a05a
This sense of the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, but have been used more widely. Media attention in recent years has equated trolling with online harassment. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[5][6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 07, 2014, 01:50:40 PM
She was posting her opinions on social media, that's what she did.
You might not like that, but there ain't a law that can stop it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 01:52:37 PM
Not necessary.... .The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry this is all I can post right now….There are too many pages, which I am still reading…………………..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) Communications which are grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or false
31. Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send or cause to be sent through a "public electronic communications network" a message or other matter that is "grossly offensive" or of an "indecent, obscene or menacing character". The same section also provides that it is an offence to send or cause to be sent a false message "for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another". The defendant must be shown to have intended or be aware that the message was grossly offensive, indecent or menacing, which can be inferred from the terms of the message or from the defendant's knowledge of the likely recipient. The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it. 33.Every day many millions of communications are sent via social media and the application of section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 to such comments creates the potential that a very large number of cases could be prosecuted before the courts. Taking together, for example, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, there are likely to be hundreds of millions of communications every month.
Cyber stalking Harassment can take place on the internet and through the misuse of email. This is sometimes known as 'cyberstalking'. This can include the use of social networking sites, chat rooms and other forums facilitated by technology. The internet can be used for a range of purposes relating to harassment, for example: to locate personal information about a victim; to communicate with the victim; as a means of surveillance of the victim; identity theft such as subscribing the victim to services, purchasing goods and services in their name; damaging the reputation of the victim; electronic sabotage such as spamming and sending viruses; or tricking other internet users into harassing or threatening a victim. Further guidance can be found in Communications Offences, elsewhere in the Legal Guidance http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/stalking_and_harassment/#a05a
This sense of the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, but have been used more widely. Media attention in recent years has equated trolling with online harassment. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[5][6]
Very off topic but a quick one for motorbike fans everywhere If you cross a Gilera with a Lambretta do you get a Giletta? Reasonable cos a Norton Triumph cross was called a Triton &%+((£
You would probably get something completely unrideable.
Triton - that takes me back a bit......... 8)--))
(sorry - a bit off topic)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 01:58:23 PM
I've sent the link to James O'Brien on LBC, who was discussing Brenda this morning and trolls.
It will be interesting to see if he responds and/or discusses it on LBC tomorrow.
What was this poster responding too, or was she not, Stephen? I have seen some vile messages on here from past members, but they were deleted....Pronto.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 02:14:39 PM
What was this poster responding too, or was she not, Stephen? I have seen some vile messages on here from past members, but they were deleted....Pronto.
I'm not sure Anna.
Alice gave the link.
Look at her last post on this page (above).
I've seen other messages of that type before, that's why I steer clear of twitter by and large.
It has become unfortunately something of a cesspit.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 02:16:33 PM
I've seen other messages of that type before, that's why I steer clear of twitter by and large.
It has become unfortunately something of a cesspit.
I have never used it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 07, 2014, 02:28:42 PM
That does seem to be a real "troll". (and it is disgusting).
However, there is no way of knowing who it was or indeed which "side" they were on. Twitter does seem to be bottomless cesspit. Happily I am way past being a twit.
Take that how you like. 8)--))
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 02:31:38 PM
Robin Williams's daughter Zelda quits Twitter after being trolled over father's suicide
Twitter users posted picture they falsely claimed to be a mortuary photograph of the late actor
That does seem to be a real "troll". (and it is disgusting).
However, there is no way of knowing who it was or indeed which "side" they were on. Twitter does seem to be bottomless cesspit. Happily I am way past being a twit.
Take that how you like. 8)--))
I have never felt the urge to tweet.
It is my understanding that there are many different things being tweeted about and for some it is a great way of instant communication.
I very much doubt that other #tags suffer anything like the insanity levels displayed on the McCann tag, and if they did there would have been a furore long before seven years were out.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 02:52:45 PM
You would probably get something completely unrideable.
Triton - that takes me back a bit......... 8)--))
(sorry - a bit off topic)
Undoubtedly a four cylinder scooter would be a bit of a handful, but I was thinking more of alliteration on the name and what products on here are similar 8(>((
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 07, 2014, 03:04:41 PM
It is my understanding that there are many different things being tweeted about and for some it is a great way of instant communication.
I very much doubt that other #tags suffer anything like the insanity levels displayed on the McCann tag, and if they did there would have been a furore long before seven years were out.
Just as an exercise, I searched for another "celeb" on Twitter in this instance Katie Price, some of the tweets about her are far worse than anything in this case.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 03:09:32 PM
I've seen other messages of that type before, that's why I steer clear of twitter by and large.
It has become unfortunately something of a cesspit.
Merciful heavens sir! not me this time. I do rather hope that the guilty parties are having ring twitter about being outed. Sitting in their fetid little garrets (or mansions) backsides going frippenny bit, 'alf crown, manhole cover.
Ready with eraser mods? 8(>((
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 03:10:00 PM
Just as an exercise, I searched for another "celeb" on Twitter in this instance Katie Price, some of the tweets about her are far worse than anything in this case.
Has she too been accused of killing and disposing of her daughter's body? She is probably ignoring other outrages on the principle of "Don't Feed the Trolls" ... I doubt very much if she would ignore that one.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 07, 2014, 03:21:34 PM
Merciful heavens sir! not me this time. I do rather hope that the guilty parties are having ring twitter about being outed. Sitting in their fetid little garrets (or mansions) backsides going frippenny bit, 'alf crown, manhole cover.
Ready with eraser mods? 8(>((
Sorry Alice.
It was on one of Faithlilly's posts.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 07, 2014, 03:24:25 PM
Gosh, this is a nice one.
Decent, kind folk who pray for this family are going to rape you to death.
How very Christian of them.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 07, 2014, 03:26:36 PM
Has she too been accused of killing and disposing of her daughter's body? She is probably ignoring other outrages on the principle of "Don't Feed the Trolls" ... I doubt very much if she would ignore that one.
In Which tweet did sweepyface make that accusation?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 07, 2014, 03:54:23 PM
In Which tweet did sweepyface make that accusation?
I have made my position very clear on passing comment on a dead woman out of respect for her family; the thread concerns the hateful trolling of the McCann family which people have indulged in for the past seven years so perhaps you may have something to say about the trolls passing their days in what for them must be an enjoyable activity.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 04:01:24 PM
Decent, kind folk who pray for this family are going to rape you to death.
How very Christian of them.
Isn't it just but they are apparently the right sort of troll. "What you has to remember is dat in de context of de McCann case white is black, up is down, about 10 in de evening is 22:03 precisely and some trolls is more equal than others". Come the revolution brother...........
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 07, 2014, 04:17:52 PM
Please note that this thread has been renamed. Posts of a more general content relating to internet trolls can still be made on the original thread.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 07, 2014, 04:44:44 PM
I notice the Mirror is still spreading lies.
'Brenda Leyland, 63, was found dead in a hotel room after being exposed on Sky News for sending vile tweets to Kate and Gerry McCann'
These were after she had stopped tweeting by all accounts, and there is no evidence that she exchanged tweets with them in the first place, is there ?
we don't know who she exchanged tweets with...she could have complained to the police but not if she was sending similar tweets back...I'm not really bothered
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: a.baker on October 07, 2014, 06:47:32 PM
Not necessary.... .The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sorry this is all I can post right now….There are too many pages, which I am still reading…………………..
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(4) Communications which are grossly offensive, indecent, obscene or false
31. Section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it an offence to send or cause to be sent through a "public electronic communications network" a message or other matter that is "grossly offensive" or of an "indecent, obscene or menacing character". The same section also provides that it is an offence to send or cause to be sent a false message "for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another". The defendant must be shown to have intended or be aware that the message was grossly offensive, indecent or menacing, which can be inferred from the terms of the message or from the defendant's knowledge of the likely recipient. The offence is committed by sending the message. There is no requirement that any person sees the message or be offended by it. 33.Every day many millions of communications are sent via social media and the application of section 1 of the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 to such comments creates the potential that a very large number of cases could be prosecuted before the courts. Taking together, for example, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube, there are likely to be hundreds of millions of communications every month.
Cyber stalking Harassment can take place on the internet and through the misuse of email. This is sometimes known as 'cyberstalking'. This can include the use of social networking sites, chat rooms and other forums facilitated by technology. The internet can be used for a range of purposes relating to harassment, for example: to locate personal information about a victim; to communicate with the victim; as a means of surveillance of the victim; identity theft such as subscribing the victim to services, purchasing goods and services in their name; damaging the reputation of the victim; electronic sabotage such as spamming and sending viruses; or tricking other internet users into harassing or threatening a victim. Further guidance can be found in Communications Offences, elsewhere in the Legal Guidance http://www.cps.gov.uk/legal/s_to_u/stalking_and_harassment/#a05a
This sense of the word troll and its associated verb trolling are associated with Internet discourse, but have been used more widely. Media attention in recent years has equated trolling with online harassment. For example, mass media has used troll to describe "a person who defaces Internet tribute sites with the aim of causing grief to families."[5][6]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)
It appears that by what you have posted here that the compilers of the 'dossier' have committed a criminal offence by way of 'cyber stalking'. Which then led to a person taking their own life. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now! And rather than the leaking of this 'dossier' earning sympathy for the Mcann's,it appears it has actually had the opposite effect!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 07:00:53 PM
It appears that by what you have posted here that the compilers of the 'dossier' have committed a criminal offence by way of 'cyber stalking'. Which then led to a person taking their own life. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes right now! And rather than the leaking of this 'dossier' earning sympathy for the Mcann's,it appears it has actually had the opposite effect!
Where do you find that, Amanda? If someone is suspected of abuse,harassment or stalking, the information regarding the suspect/accused, must be revealed by the forum administrator, to the investigator/police. We do not know that the dossier contained the names and addresses of the people involved, do we?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 07, 2014, 07:03:41 PM
"Damaging the reputation of a victim"? Isn't that what the online campaign against the McCanns has been doing for the last 7 years? This therefore rather proves the point that the law is being broken.
Also, the majority of the online comments I have read on newspaper sites appear to be firmly in the "Name and shame trolls" camp, whether or not those leaving the comment are sympathetic to the McCanns or not.
I very much doubt that compiling a dossier of malicious and abusive tweets and public FB comments constitutes cyber stalking - if it did then the dossier compiler(s) would no doubt have been arrested when they handed the thing to the police!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 07:13:18 PM
"Damaging the reputation of a victim"? Isn't that what the online campaign against the McCanns has been doing for the last 7 years? This therefore rather proves the point that the law is being broken.
Also, the majority of the online comments I have read on newspaper sites appear to be firmly in the "Name and shame trolls" camp, whether or not those leaving the comment are sympathetic to the McCanns or not.
I very much doubt that compiling a dossier of malicious and abusive tweets and public FB comments constitutes cyber stalking - if it did then the dossier compiler(s) would no doubt have been arrested when they handed the thing to the police!
I feel very sad about this lady and her family, but she said some awful things on that forum.
Here is one:- 513032529742663680|Fri Sep 19 18:31:01 +0000 2014|If I were the #mccann s, I wouldn't worry about their reputation being " damaged " its already ruined " cheats/liars, killers, suppressors
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 07, 2014, 07:25:56 PM
I feel very sad about this lady and her family, but she said some awful things on that forum.
Here is one:- 513032529742663680|Fri Sep 19 18:31:01 +0000 2014|If I were the #mccann s, I wouldn't worry about their reputation being " damaged " its already ruined " cheats/liars, killers, suppressors
I believe she was also part of a gang intent on outing another twitter user because she believed she was someone directly involved in the McCann case and was pretty abusive and foul to them too. There really can be no excuse for this sort of behaviour can there? Did she and her gang of fellow abusers really think that tweets of this nature would help to achieve "Justice For Maddie"? I would encourage anyone who is currently behaving in this way to think very carefully about what they think they can achieve by this level of continued vitriol and abuse.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 07:31:08 PM
I believe she was also part of a gang intent on outing another twitter user because she believed she was someone directly involved in the McCann case and was pretty abusive and foul to them too. There really can be no excuse for this sort of behaviour can there? Did she and her gang of fellow abusers really think that tweets of this nature would help to achieve "Justice For Maddie"? I would encourage anyone who is currently behaving in this way to think very carefully about what they think they can achieve by this level of continued vitriol and abuse.
Yes there was one in particular. I believe it was ... ....... I cannot disclose more, but it is available in the link a few pages back.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 07, 2014, 07:37:39 PM
OMG. One 29th june, she adressed a post to the twins.
Which one...
Quote
483261153641242625|Sun Jun 29 14:50:12 +0000 2014|@RothleyPillow #mccann Sean and Amelie, your mum thought you may have been drugged but didn't bother to get you checked
Or
Quote
483259486824824832|Sun Jun 29 14:43:34 +0000 2014|#mccann Time will soon come when twins will ask/think, did you really leave us with our 3 yr old sister ALONE EVERY NIGHT..really ?
Not exactly things that haven't been expressed on here?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 08:24:48 PM
Not exactly things that haven't been expressed on here?
I haven't seen it on here. Sean and Amelia...................................They are children for gods sake. That has made me angry.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 07, 2014, 08:34:30 PM
'I find it difficult to have any trust in UK govt or police because of this, luckily, I do not reside in UK, sad state of affairs' - Did she live in Portugal?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 08:36:06 PM
'I find it difficult to have any trust in UK govt or police because of this, luckily, I do not reside in UK, sad state of affairs' - Did she live in Portugal?
Who?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 07, 2014, 08:39:20 PM
Sorry I am finding it hard to read the twiter feed. Is this a tweet from BL:
487161603864166400|Thu Jul 10 09:09:12 +0000 2014|#mccann I find it difficult to have any trust in UK govt or police because of this, luckily, I do not reside in UK, sad state of affairs
If it is then it means she did not full time reside in the UK.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 07, 2014, 08:55:31 PM
Sorry I am finding it hard to read the twiter feed. Is this a tweet from BL:
487161603864166400|Thu Jul 10 09:09:12 +0000 2014|#mccann I find it difficult to have any trust in UK govt or police because of this, luckily, I do not reside in UK, sad state of affairs
If it is then it means she did not full time reside in the UK.
They are all her tweets, Vixte. If you scroll to the right, you won't get all the post numbers etc
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 07, 2014, 08:58:50 PM
Perhaps the thread should have started with a note of the following legislation ... it might perhaps have led to a more informed debate ... it certainly does clarify what is and what is not legitimate free speech.
127 Improper use of public electronic communications network
(1)A person is guilty of an offence if he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character; or
(b)causes any such message or matter to be so sent.
(2)A person is guilty of an offence if, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety to another, he—
(a)sends by means of a public electronic communications network, a message that he knows to be false,
(b)causes such a message to be sent; or
(c)persistently makes use of a public electronic communications network.
(3)A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable, on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale, or to both.
(4)Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to anything done in the course of providing a programme service (within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)).
You simply can't have a rule that people who dish out abuse on the internet will be excused scrutiny for fear that if they are called to account, they might take their own life, tragic though such an outcome unquestionably is.
And it's also pertinent to remember that Kate has been suicidal and Kate and Gerry have both on the receiving end of vile abuse, from so many quarters.
Indeed, Brenda Leyland herself, challenged by Brunt about some of her more unsavoury comments, replied that's my right.
What's to say?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 07, 2014, 10:00:21 PM
When I saw her tanned plus this tweet I thought she might be one of the group of British property owners in PT who stared losing money as a result of Madeleine's disappearance.
This is why I asked.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 07, 2014, 10:02:51 PM
You simply can't have a rule that people who dish out abuse on the internet will be excused scrutiny for fear that if they are called to account, they might take their own life, tragic though such an outcome unquestionably is.
And it's also pertinent to remember that Kate has been suicidal and Kate and Gerry have both on the receiving end of vile abuse, from so many quarters.
Indeed, Brenda Leyland herself, challenged by Brunt about some of her more unsavoury comments, replied that's my right.
What's to say?
It was not up to the media to scrutinise her. It was up to the proper authorities to decide whether she had broken any law with her tweets.
http://blacksmithbureau.blogspot.co.uk
' It somehow reminded me of another appalling end, that of the critic Walter Benjamin who, like Brenda Leyland, wandered like a wraith, a spectre, for his last hours, apparently completely alone and beyond the reach of a helping arm, before deciding, at length, that he had to die.'
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 07, 2014, 10:03:53 PM
does it matter where she lived she killed herself because of a sick person who tweeted the most vile things yet mcann supporters seem to think she deserved what she got
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 10:16:18 PM
It was not up to the media to scrutinise her. It was up to the proper authorities to decide whether she had broken any law with her tweets.
http://blacksmithbureau.blogspot.co.uk
' It somehow reminded me of another appalling end, that of the critic Walter Benjamin who, like Brenda Leyland, wandered like a wraith, a spectre, for his last hours, apparently completely alone and beyond the reach of a helping arm, before deciding, at length, that he had to die.'
Just as its up to the proper authorities to decide if the McCanns have broken any laws...not a bunch of hounders...including Brenda Leyland
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 07, 2014, 10:16:38 PM
does it matter where she lived she killed herself because of a sick person who tweeted the most vile things yet mcann supporters seem to think she deserved what she got
Nobody actually has any idea why she killed hersef only her and if there was no note she may well have taken the reason to her grave
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 07, 2014, 10:18:34 PM
does it matter where she lived she killed herself because of a sick person who tweeted the most vile things yet mcann supporters seem to think she deserved what she got
The lady tweeted hatred against the McCanns. Read her tweets. Do you condone that Carly?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 10:25:24 PM
does it matter where she lived she killed herself because of a sick person who tweeted the most vile things yet mcann supporters seem to think she deserved what she got
Well it ever was thus with some. This thread has degenerated into the vultures picking over the corpse of a dead woman's tweets to no real end. No matter how those who think they have, nay have stated they have, a higher intellect may like to dress it up that's what it is. All the self righteous mock indignation from some on here makes one want to puke.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 07, 2014, 10:31:13 PM
Well it ever was thus with some. This thread has degenerated into the vultures picking over the corpse of a dead woman's tweets to no real end. No matter how those who think they have, nay have stated they have, a higher intellect may like to dress it up that's what it is. All the self righteous mock indignation from some on here makes one want to puke.
What makes me want to puke is the insults the mcccanns have suffered over the last 7 years .....far more than Brenda Ryan
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 07, 2014, 10:32:11 PM
It was not up to the media to scrutinise her. It was up to the proper authorities to decide whether she had broken any law with her tweets.
http://blacksmithbureau.blogspot.co.uk
' It somehow reminded me of another appalling end, that of the critic Walter Benjamin who, like Brenda Leyland, wandered like a wraith, a spectre, for his last hours, apparently completely alone and beyond the reach of a helping arm, before deciding, at length, that he had to die.'
I actually do think you have a point, there ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 07, 2014, 10:33:17 PM
i make no apologies posting up the vile tweets brenda got from that sick person on twitter the media and police know about it too
now lets post up the vile sick hating posts you carlymichelle have posted about the mccanns (missing madeleine) is a mock with them from you eh carly %£&)**#
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 10:41:51 PM
Brenda Leyland CHOSE to engage with these tweeters...we don't know what her tweets were like in response...she continued to tweet so obviously they did not greatly upset her
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 07, 2014, 10:42:03 PM
people do know she was abused and exposed to the media for nothing sent threats and you mcann supporters are in huge denial as always
If I recall reading the Mccann hashtag on twitter at the time of the exposure a number her fellow sceptics started questioning whether the interview was staged and some suggested that she was maybe in on it perhaps it was the desertion of her so called friends that left her feeling isolated and drove her to despair.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 07, 2014, 10:42:34 PM
but that's ok davel didn't you know ? its fine to attack the parents of a missing child...
It has been quite a revelation seeing the defence of BL by posters who have been dishing out lynch mob justice for years...suddenly we should wait for the authorities to act...they will tell us she's innocent till proven guilty next...the irony
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 10:52:28 PM
I think you may find that free speech comes with responsibilities.
Indeed it does. But both sides in this seem have miserable wretches of humanity at the extreme edges who are prepared to post anything nasty. The significant thing is that McCann supporters, even those who purport to be intelligent, can never quite bring themselves to be critical of the more extreme in their own camp. Preferring to be mealy mouthed and come up with pseudo intellectual excuses for their bad behaviour; "well he did it first Miss" seeming to be level of intellect used as justification.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 10:56:22 PM
Indeed it does. But both sides in this seem have miserable wretches of humanity at the extreme edges who are prepared to post anything nasty. The significant thing is that McCann supporters, even those who purport to be intelligent, can never quite bring themselves to be critical of the more extreme in their own camp. Preferring to be mealy mouthed and come up with pseudo intellectual excuses for their bad behaviour; "well he did it first Miss" seeming to be level of intellect used as justification.
do you actually read any other posts on here apart from your own... I have condemned the vile tweets from the pros this evening...Stephen and I in rare agreement...you continue to make a fool of yourself
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 07, 2014, 11:10:40 PM
Brendas sad death has highlighted how poisonous and evil online harassment and insults are....yet it seems to have resulted in even more abusive behaviour...how sad
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 07, 2014, 11:37:03 PM
i just read that ALL twitter posts directed at brenda will be investigated by police etc including NSY
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 07, 2014, 11:50:50 PM
In the Huffington Post Interesting I feel!
Dr Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of business psychology at University College London, said that trolling and abuse online had now become so commonplace that it was hard to find common distinguishing features.
"The profile of an internet troll has nothing to do with class, or socio-economic or educational variable. It's more psychological," he said. "One of the characteristics of people who spend of lot of time doing things like this is that they don't seem to have the same ability to do this in the real world. They are often compensating for a lower assertiveness or dominance in the real world, they are a little bit more repressed."
Well I am glad I average only about four posts a day or I would really worry! 8(>((
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 08, 2014, 01:29:15 AM
Facebook campaign to get Sky reporter who exposed Maddie McCann troll sacked - after she is found dead in hotel room
MailOnline 6 October 2014
A social media campaign has been launched calling for the sacking of Sky News reporter Martin Brunt, who tracked down and interviewed a woman who allegedly trolled the McCann family - and then killed herself a few days later.
Brenda Leyland, 63, died at a Marriott hotel on Saturday around 15 miles from her immaculately kept village home in Leicestershire. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
A statement on the 'Sack Martin Brunt' Facebook page, set up yesterday, said: 'Martin Brunt should be sacked. RIP Brenda Leyland.' So far 1,265 people have liked the page.
As well as messages of sympathy and support, there have also been a number of posts criticising the McCann family, whose daughter Maddie went missing on holiday in Portugal in 2007.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 08, 2014, 01:31:41 AM
Facebook group urges Sky reporter’s sacking after death of alleged troll
A Facebook campaign is calling for Sky News reporter Martin Brunt to be sacked following the death of a woman the broadcaster alleged to be one of the internet trolls abusing the McCann family.
Sky News has a rigorous set of internal guidelines for its reporters but insiders say each story is handled on a case-by-case basis. Although she appeared on camera, Leyland was not named and registration plates on nearby cars were pixellated.
During the report, Brunt and his team took extra precautions such as not naming the village where Leyland lived and Brunt referred to her only by her Twitter name, @sweepyface. However, she was subsequently named in newspaper reports.
The Guardian understands the story was looked at closely by Sky’s lawyers before it was broadcast and Sky is confident that proper procedures had been followed. The broadcaster is reviewing in the situtation in the wake of Leyland’s death. Sky News’ guidelines state: “Any grounds for an investigation that involves significant intrusion into any individual’s privacy must be very strong. Before we start out we must be certain that any such intrusion is outweighed by the seriousness of the story and the amount of public good that will be delivered by its publication and/or broadcast.”
The detailed guidelines also say: “People who are the subject of reports should not be treated unfairly. Where wrongdoing is alleged, they should be offered an opportunity to respond.
“Where there may be doubt or uncertainty over a legal issue – in the first instance check with the Head of Home News or Head of International News, as appropriate. Remember: if in doubt, do not proceed, broadcast or publish. Always refer upwards.”
Brunt – who has himself become the subject of online abuse –- is said to be upset by Leyland’s death but has not yet made any comment.
Sky News is not expected to comment further beyond a statement that said: “We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time.”
Facebook campaign to get Sky reporter who exposed Maddie McCann troll sacked... More... (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2782066/I-love-mum-I-miss-forever-Grieving-son-s-tribute-internet-troll-dead-hotel-room-exposed-targeting-Maddie-McCann-s-parents.html)
I've already posted link of the mandatory editorial guidelines which IMO make it very clear that all proposed intrusions involving doorstepping are always checked out and pre-approved by people much higher up in the referral chain than Mr Brunt.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 08, 2014, 01:39:14 AM
Sonia Poulton Published on 7 Oct 2014
This video is in response to the death of Brenda Leyland aka Sweepyface. Despite media demonisation, Brenda was not a troll. She merely didn't believe the abduction theory surrounding Madeleine McCann. Neither do I. Brenda's name, like mine, was part of a McCann dossier handed to Metropolitan Police. I have today invited the police to interview me. This issue is about a number of things, including censorship, and we must fight it. RIP Sweepyface. I apologise for the quality but recorded it on tablet to get out quickly.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: misty on October 08, 2014, 01:59:19 AM
This video is in response to the death of Brenda Leyland aka Sweepyface. Despite media demonisation, Brenda was not a troll. She merely didn't believe the abduction theory surrounding Madeleine McCann. Neither do I. Brenda's name, like mine, was part of a McCann dossier handed to Metropolitan Police. I have today invited the police to interview me. This issue is about a number of things, including censorship, and we must fight it. RIP Sweepyface. I apologise for the quality but recorded it on tablet to get out quickly.
Having just watched the video, it is clear the speaker feels the public's right to answers about the McCanns & the death of Brenda are more important than the ongoing investigation into Madeleine's disappearance. Has no-one told her that the "official" files are incomplete?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 08, 2014, 02:28:03 AM
I find Sonia Poulton's stance stupid. The Scotland Yard is currently working on Madeleine McCanns case. Any case that is currently active should not have media comments on it. Why doesn't she simply wait for the investigation to conclude? Regarding her comments of Madeleine's parents being 'neglectful' perhaps she should campaign not for children to be 24 hours supervised. I wasn't supervised. My parents weren't supervised. Today's children are supervised because of the modern dangers around them. So dear Sonia, please campaign for these modern dangers around children to be removed, for people who target children in our modern times to be legally punished in the most harsh way possible so our children can again freely play on the streets as they could 20 years ago and stay home alone as I was able to 30 years ago.
Regarding poor Brenda.. she spent days and nights tweeting about the McCanns, even on the New Years Eve, if Sonia can identify with this then I suggest she should see a doctor.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 08, 2014, 05:38:57 AM
This video is in response to the death of Brenda Leyland aka Sweepyface. Despite media demonisation, Brenda was not a troll. She merely didn't believe the abduction theory surrounding Madeleine McCann. Neither do I. Brenda's name, like mine, was part of a McCann dossier handed to Metropolitan Police. I have today invited the police to interview me. This issue is about a number of things, including censorship, and we must fight it. RIP Sweepyface. I apologise for the quality but recorded it on tablet to get out quickly.
If you gathered together all the main points of the case and listed them, then when out into the streets and asked 100 people if they knew about them I can guarantee you that the vast majority of no clue as to what is in the files.
NOT one of my immediate family or friends, or their friends even knew about the dogs findings. No one knew the child had spoken to their mother about being left crying and so many other points. BUT I BET you they know all about that nasty man Mr Amaral.....
The people in the streets only read the red top newspapers who just castigate the PJ, creepy men and tractor man etc.
They only believe what they read, the majority of them actually have no interest in the case only a certain voyeurism into the case, when the headlines like gypsies took her, etc are plastered everywhere.
No the truth has not been told about what even ACTUALLY happened.......so i can understand where these supporters are coming from.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 08, 2014, 06:03:31 AM
Its like I have said abuse goes both ways. Brenda Leyland is entitled to say what she likes as long as she isnt openly threatening or abusing the McCanns personally. (I dont necessarily agree with all this tweeting rubbish, and calling out the McCanns etc it serves no purpose in finding the child).
However, those trolls who were following Brenda Leyland need to watch their backs also, as I believe one in particular has been reported to the police.
Joan Morais on Google:
some tweets made by someone calling themselves Rainne (@dirndllass) sent to Brenda that are the most disgusting I have ever seen. I have forwarded them to the Met and drawn attention to them in as many places as I can. They clearly t hreaten Brenda in the most appalling way and it would not surprise me if they had something to do with her demise. This person also needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
It doesnt take rocket science to find this women, this is on her tweet shows the type of person she is...
https://twitter.com/dirndllass
HER TOP TWEET.....@sweepyface....GOOD RIDDENCE TO BAD RUBBISH....
If this is the type of person who is supporting the McCanns god help them is all I can say.
This women was so traumatised by some of these threats she HANGED HERSELF....Brenda Leyland. HANGED HERSELF....
Shame on people who would support tweeting this way about a women has died in horrible circumstances....no one deserved that.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 06:39:54 AM
Its like I have said abuse goes both ways. Brenda Leyland is entitled to say what she likes as long as she isnt openly threatening or abusing the McCanns personally. (I dont necessarily agree with all this tweeting rubbish, and calling out the McCanns etc it serves no purpose in finding the child).
However, those trolls who were following Brenda Leyland need to watch their backs also, as I believe one in particular has been reported to the police.
Joan Morais on Google:
some tweets made by someone calling themselves Rainne (@dirndllass) sent to Brenda that are the most disgusting I have ever seen. I have forwarded them to the Met and drawn attention to them in as many places as I can. They clearly t hreaten Brenda in the most appalling way and it would not surprise me if they had something to do with her demise. This person also needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
It doesnt take rocket science to find this women, this is on her tweet shows the type of person she is...
https://twitter.com/dirndllass
HER TOP TWEET.....@sweepyface....GOOD RIDDENCE TO BAD RUBBISH....
If this is the type of person who is supporting the McCanns god help them is all I can say.
This women was so traumatised by some of these threats she HANGED HERSELF....Brenda Leyland. HANGED HERSELF....
Shame on people who would support tweeting this way about a women has died in horrible circumstances....no one deserved that.
I absolutely agree that the tweets are utterly vile, and totally unacceptable in any context.
Why do you think someone from "across the pond" would insert themsleves in this way?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 06:41:17 AM
I find Sonia Poulton's stance stupid. The Scotland Yard is currently working on Madeleine McCanns case. Any case that is currently active should not have media comments on it. Why doesn't she simply wait for the investigation to conclude? Regarding her comments of Madeleine's parents being 'neglectful' perhaps she should campaign not for children to be 24 hours supervised. I wasn't supervised. My parents weren't supervised. Today's children are supervised because of the modern dangers around them. So dear Sonia, please campaign for these modern dangers around children to be removed, for people who target children in our modern times to be legally punished in the most harsh way possible so our children can again freely play on the streets as they could 20 years ago and stay home alone as I was able to 30 years ago.
Regarding poor Brenda.. she spent days and nights tweeting about the McCanns, even on the New Years Eve, if Sonia can identify with this then I suggest she should see a doctor.
How could she tweet the mccanns, if they had no twitter accounts ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 06:46:07 AM
I absolutely agree that the tweets are utterly vile, and totally unacceptable in any context.
Why do you think someone from "across the pond" would insert themsleves in this way?
I have no idea Jean-Pierre its all too odd for me. Perhaps because they think they are safe to do so?
I just feel sorry for the McCanns actually because if they have this calibre of people standing up for them, its not really doing them any good is it.
I dont get all this attack on twitter, and facebook etc what is wrong with this world.
I see nothing wrong in discussing cases, I dont AGREE with name calling or verbal attacks on the the family either it serves no purpose, but really on most forums you cannot discuss this case without being constantly abused by people FOR the McCanns, and yes sadly then it becomes a bit tit for tat.
I have so many people on block that i only see a few posts lol......I dont come on much more now about the case as there really is nothing new.
In 2007 to now there is nothing. Just the child missing.
At the moment there is an horrendous murder case going on in South Africa and no one is discussing it lol....
Funny old world.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 08:00:04 AM
I think we will find Brenda had other issues in her life...she has two sons ands is estranged from one of them.....I don't think the doorstepping was responsible for her death
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 08:05:28 AM
Facebook group urges Sky reporter’s sacking after death of alleged troll
A Facebook campaign is calling for Sky News reporter Martin Brunt to be sacked following the death of a woman the broadcaster alleged to be one of the internet trolls abusing the McCann family.
Sky News has a rigorous set of internal guidelines for its reporters but insiders say each story is handled on a case-by-case basis. Although she appeared on camera, Leyland was not named and registration plates on nearby cars were pixellated.
During the report, Brunt and his team took extra precautions such as not naming the village where Leyland lived and Brunt referred to her only by her Twitter name, @sweepyface. However, she was subsequently named in newspaper reports.
The Guardian understands the story was looked at closely by Sky’s lawyers before it was broadcast and Sky is confident that proper procedures had been followed. The broadcaster is reviewing in the situtation in the wake of Leyland’s death. Sky News’ guidelines state: “Any grounds for an investigation that involves significant intrusion into any individual’s privacy must be very strong. Before we start out we must be certain that any such intrusion is outweighed by the seriousness of the story and the amount of public good that will be delivered by its publication and/or broadcast.”
The detailed guidelines also say: “People who are the subject of reports should not be treated unfairly. Where wrongdoing is alleged, they should be offered an opportunity to respond.
“Where there may be doubt or uncertainty over a legal issue – in the first instance check with the Head of Home News or Head of International News, as appropriate. Remember: if in doubt, do not proceed, broadcast or publish. Always refer upwards.”
Brunt – who has himself become the subject of online abuse –- is said to be upset by Leyland’s death but has not yet made any comment.
Sky News is not expected to comment further beyond a statement that said: “We were saddened to hear of the death of Brenda Leyland. It would be inappropriate to speculate or comment further at this time.”
The facebook campaign is almost certainly just the same people who have been harassing the mccanns for the last seven years...not a representative view of the general public
many of the posts on this page re simply attacks on the McCanns...what a bunch of idiots.....in that respect they are justifying Brunts actions
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 08:11:08 AM
Any investigation into Brendas death is going to highlight her abusive tweets...
It's not the only investigation now davel.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 08:46:59 AM
I gather those wishing to cite "Rainne" as an example of a typical rabid "pro" are in for a bit of a disappointment.
Claims to be a female holistic health coach based in Hawaii and quite catholic in her foulmouthed condemnation of just about everyone, but mainly blacks and muslims. Not that keen on mormons either. Her "tweets" on the 3rd October were her first reference to anything to do with the McCanns.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 08:52:29 AM
I gather those wishing to cite "Rainne" as an example of a typical rabid "pro" are in for a bit of a disappointment.
Claims to be a female holistic health coach based in Hawaii and quite catholic in her foulmouthed condemnation of just about everyone, but mainly blacks and muslims. Not that keen on mormons either. Her "tweets" on the 3rd October were her first reference to anything to do with the McCanns.
Unfortunately, there are more out there, and they have been doing it for years.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 08, 2014, 08:53:16 AM
So, have we all to hound Brunt to his death now, is that the aim here? Jesus, how f..ked up.
You can turn that another way.
If we condemn the hounding of the McCanns (you, I and plenty others here do!) then there may be an argument that while reporting Brenda Leyland to police was absolutely spot-on and justified, from there, matters should have been left to police to progress.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 09:08:46 AM
Have you forgotten the £50,000 compensation recently paid out by the 'UK press' - for publishing lies about the McCanns?
That hardly appears to substantiate your claim that the 'UK press have been toeing the McCann line'. Quite the opposite in fact.
I'm well aware of that.
The mccanns didn't publish the e-fits, and they could have done.
They were hidden for years,the police had access to them and did nothing. Times journalists got part of it wrong, and the mccanns got their latest pound of flesh.
Now any thing else ?
For example the one off Telegraph journalist who had the gall on LBC on the Nick Ferrari program to say, there's no evidence of abduction. Ev n he didn't criticize the mccanns.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 08, 2014, 09:27:02 AM
The mccanns didn't publish the e-fits, and they could have done.
They were hidden for years,the police had access to them and did nothing. Times journalists got part of it wrong, and the mccanns got their latest pound of flesh.
Now any thing else ?
For example the one off Telegraph journalist who had the gall on LBC on the Nick Ferrari program to say, there's no evidence of abduction. Ev n he didn't criticize the mccanns.
Your usual attempt to deflect from the point made is noted.
My post was not about the Efits - it was to point out that your claim that the UK Press are toeing the McCann line is untrue - as the £50,000 compensatory payment for publishing lies about them makes abundantly clear. Full stop.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 09:29:33 AM
The mccanns didn't publish the e-fits, and they could have done.
They were hidden for years,the police had access to them and did nothing. Times journalists got part of it wrong, and the mccanns got their latest pound of flesh.
Now any thing else ?
For example the one off Telegraph journalist who had the gall on LBC on the Nick Ferrari program to say, there's no evidence of abduction. Ev n he didn't criticize the mccanns.
Nope!
Martin Smith said in his statement to the Irish Gardia police at the end of January 2008 that he had been approached by Brian Kennedy representing the McCanns to produce an efit, but had refused.
It must have been after early August 2008, when the files were released and Mr Smith realised he had been (honestly) mistaken to suppose that the man was Gerry, that he agreed to produce it.
By 2009 the efits were in the hands of British and Portuguese police who, themselves, waited until the Crimewatch programme to release the efits.
And who "suppressed" what for 5 years?
Why should the McCanns have gainsaid the police by releasing efits the police chose to withhold until the Crimewatch programme, even if they (the McCanns) were in a position to, which isn't clear (at least to me)?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 09:50:03 AM
Your usual attempt to deflect from the point made is noted.
My post was not about the Efits - it was to point out that your claim that the UK Press are toeing the McCann line is untrue - as the £50,000 compensatory payment for publishing lies about them makes abundantly clear. Full stop.
I asked you for other examples.
Now comply, if you can.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 09:51:32 AM
If we condemn the hounding of the McCanns (you, I and plenty others here do!) then there may be an argument that while reporting Brenda Leyland to police was absolutely spot-on and justified, from there, matters should have been left to police to progress.
yes, that is a valid stance to take. Media hounding an individual for whatever reason can and often does lead to wrecked lives which is why I initially supported the Hacked Off campaign. It seems to me that those now intent on hounding Brunt and baying for his blood are practising extreme double standards as many active sceptics were as I recall bitterly opposed to what Hacked Off was attempting to achieve (for obvious reasons, namely Gerry McCann's involvement). I have absolutely no doubt that had Brunt doorstopped the McCanns a few years back and challenged them about the accusations in Tony Bennett's pamphlet (for example) that these same sceptics would have been hailing his as a champion for free speech and justice for Maddie, no matter what distress and upset was caused to the McCanns themselves.
There are no easy answers on this one and I have to admit that I now tend to agree with media commentators like Grace Dent who have pointed out that we cannot and should not legislate to prevent the media from challenging individuals who they have evidence of having behaved illegally or improperly. I can't help but feel sick and sorry for everyone involved in this mess - Barbara and her family, Brunt, the McCanns themselves who must be distressed by these events. It's a real shame that this tragic incident hasn't stopped everyone in their tracks and made them reconsider their own contribution to this online discussion, debate, slagging match, call it what you will. It would be gratifying to think that some good could come out of Barbara's death but sadly I think there is only more nastiness and spite and accusation and hate to follow.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: xtina on October 08, 2014, 09:52:57 AM
shows how biased the Portuguese press are...spreading more anti McCann propaganda...utter disgrace
You see this is it ....they are not biased ...they just don't believe the abduction theory ...IMO
anyone who doesn't believe the abduction crap ...is a troll ....
All people want is the mccs to be responsible for there actions ...IMO ...by not doing this ...they don't care ...what they did ...they care only for themselves
everyone .should want the same thing ...to get to the truth....no one can say ...if they are truthful ...that there is something very wrong and always has been ...to what really happened to maddie.
Its like I have said abuse goes both ways. Brenda Leyland is entitled to say what she likes as long as she isnt openly threatening or abusing the McCanns personally. (I dont necessarily agree with all this tweeting rubbish, and calling out the McCanns etc it serves no purpose in finding the child).
However, those trolls who were following Brenda Leyland need to watch their backs also, as I believe one in particular has been reported to the police.
Joan Morais on Google:
some tweets made by someone calling themselves Rainne (@dirndllass) sent to Brenda that are the most disgusting I have ever seen. I have forwarded them to the Met and drawn attention to them in as many places as I can. They clearly t hreaten Brenda in the most appalling way and it would not surprise me if they had something to do with her demise. This person also needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
It doesnt take rocket science to find this women, this is on her tweet shows the type of person she is...
https://twitter.com/dirndllass
HER TOP TWEET.....@sweepyface....GOOD RIDDENCE TO BAD RUBBISH....
If this is the type of person who is supporting the McCanns god help them is all I can say.
This women was so traumatised by some of these threats she HANGED HERSELF....Brenda Leyland. HANGED HERSELF....
Shame on people who would support tweeting this way about a women has died in horrible circumstances....no one deserved that.
Scrolling back to the beginning of August, I can't see any other McCann-related tweets from this Rainne woman. Quite aside from those foul ones about Brenda Leyland, she'd have the police knocking on the door if she were in the UK. If the nice men in white coats didn't get to her first.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 08, 2014, 10:08:11 AM
"everyone .should want the same thing ...to get to the truth....no one can say ...if they are truthful"
no one can say they weren't... can you ?...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 08, 2014, 10:14:57 AM
I gather those wishing to cite "Rainne" as an example of a typical rabid "pro" are in for a bit of a disappointment.
Claims to be a female holistic health coach based in Hawaii and quite catholic in her foulmouthed condemnation of just about everyone, but mainly blacks and muslims. Not that keen on mormons either. Her "tweets" on the 3rd October were her first reference to anything to do with the McCanns.
I've scrolled back to June-ish and can't find any other McCann-related ones either.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 08, 2014, 10:24:12 AM
Extremely unpleasant, ceratinly. But I am not sure about insne - my impression is that it was written for some purpose or effect. But by who?
Looking back over that persons Twitter timeline there does not seem to be any mention of the Mccanns or the case or anything to do with the UK for that matter before that outburst of deranged and disgusting tweets. He appears to vent his rage against Muslims, Mormons, Rapists, Paedos and Woody Allen. I therefore do not think it is somebody who has any real interest in what has been going on over the last 7 years so I am not sure what NSY will make of the input of Ms Morais but I do not think there is any relevance to the unfortunate circumstances of the weekend just somebody who has jumped on a bandwagon and seen an opportunity to transfer some more of his hate .
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: xtina on October 08, 2014, 10:29:37 AM
Martin Smith said in his statement to the Irish Gardia police at the end of January 2008 that he had been approached by Brian Kennedy representing the McCanns to produce an efit, but had refused.
It must have been after early August 2008, when the files were released and Mr Smith realised he had been (honestly) mistaken to suppose that the man was Gerry, that he agreed to produce it.
By 2009 the efits were in the hands of British and Portuguese police who, themselves, waited until the Crimewatch programme to release the efits.
And who "suppressed" what for 5 years?
Why should the McCanns have gainsaid the police by releasing efits the police chose to withhold until the Crimewatch programme, even if they (the McCanns) were in a position to, which isn't clear (at least to me)?
This has gone over before.
The mccanns were given e-fits and these were passed on, and not released.
Old news.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 08, 2014, 10:54:01 AM
IMO ..Brenda Leyland probably took her life because of other issue's going on in her life..not because of one news reporter asking her a question in which she confidently replied (im entitled) blaming sky news over her death is ludicrous...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 08, 2014, 11:33:25 AM
Its like I have said abuse goes both ways. Brenda Leyland is entitled to say what she likes as long as she isnt openly threatening or abusing the McCanns personally. (I dont necessarily agree with all this tweeting rubbish, and calling out the McCanns etc it serves no purpose in finding the child).
However, those trolls who were following Brenda Leyland need to watch their backs also, as I believe one in particular has been reported to the police.
Joan Morais on Google:
some tweets made by someone calling themselves Rainne (@dirndllass) sent to Brenda that are the most disgusting I have ever seen. I have forwarded them to the Met and drawn attention to them in as many places as I can. They clearly t hreaten Brenda in the most appalling way and it would not surprise me if they had something to do with her demise. This person also needs to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
It doesnt take rocket science to find this women, this is on her tweet shows the type of person she is...
https://twitter.com/dirndllass
HER TOP TWEET.....@sweepyface....GOOD RIDDENCE TO BAD RUBBISH....
If this is the type of person who is supporting the McCanns god help them is all I can say.
This women was so traumatised by some of these threats she HANGED HERSELF....Brenda Leyland. HANGED HERSELF....
Shame on people who would support tweeting this way about a women has died in horrible circumstances....no one deserved that.
I think Rainne may be the classic example of what some trolling is really all about … see an individual prominently featured in the MSM for whatever reason … and send them abuse without stopping for a second to care about the effect on the recipient.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 11:40:59 AM
IMO ..Brenda Leyland probably took her life because of other issue's going on in her life..not because of one news reporter asking her a question in which she confidently replied (im entitled) blaming sky news over her death is ludicrous...
You may be right, but the Coroners report whatever it says will be the "guvnor document". I think I would prefer to wait for the official judgement on cause and see if the coroner makes any recommendations in his report.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 08, 2014, 11:50:47 AM
You may be right, but the Coroners report whatever it says will be the "guvnor document". I think I would prefer to wait for the official judgement on cause and see if the coroner makes any recommendations in his report.
isn't the coroner there to find out how she died ..not why ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 11:51:51 AM
You may be right, but the Coroners report whatever it says will be the "guvnor document". I think I would prefer to wait for the official judgement on cause and see if the coroner makes any recommendations in his report.
Then perhaps those calling for the head of Martin Brunt should also be cautioned to wait
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 11:54:57 AM
If we condemn the hounding of the McCanns (you, I and plenty others here do!) then there may be an argument that while reporting Brenda Leyland to police was absolutely spot-on and justified, from there, matters should have been left to police to progress.
Then we get to control of the press...a free press is very important... This is exactly why the McCanns hired a press spokesman...to handle the press for them...should make a lot more sense to posters now
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 11:56:10 AM
It is being reported on BBC that it was the McCanns themselves who handed the dossier to the police. Which again begs the question, how did the media get it ?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p02789bx
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 11:57:05 AM
You see this is it ....they are not biased ...they just don't believe the abduction theory ...IMO
anyone who doesn't believe the abduction crap ...is a troll ....
All people want is the mccs to be responsible for there actions ...IMO ...by not doing this ...they don't care ...what they did ...they care only for themselves
everyone .should want the same thing ...to get to the truth....no one can say ...if they are truthful ...that there is something very wrong and always has been ...to what really happened to maddie.
Then we get to control of the press...a free press is very important... This is exactly why the McCanns hired a press spokesman...to handle the press for them...should make a lot more sense to posters now
Doorstepping ‘troll’ Brenda Leyland was justified, so let’s not bully Sky’s Martin Brunt - Roy Greenslade
A Sky News journalist has been subjected to an online bashing because he doorstepped a woman accused of “trolling” the parents of Madeleine McCann.
The woman, Brenda Leyland, was later found dead.
We need to pick our way carefully through the farrago of claims, counterclaims and details to make a sensible analysis of competing grievances. First, vastly experienced Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt did nothing wrong by knocking on Leyland’s door.
Doorstepping is part of the methodology and culture of journalism, and not just in Britain. The fêted Watergate reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward did just that, as the movie All The President’s Men portrays. It is a necessary part of the verification process that underpins all responsible journalism.
The unusual aspect in the Sky News case is that it took place during a live broadcast. Although Brunt did not reveal Leyland’s identity or the location of her home, her face was, of course, seen on screen. That’s identification enough.
The case raises ethical problems because the broadcaster could not have known her mental and emotional state. It would surely have been better to have run an edited version rather than carry it live.
That said, the result would not have been very different unless Sky News’s editors had decided, given the time to debate the matter, that it would have been appropriate to pixellate her face.
It is not fair to say that Brunt had stalked or hounded Leyland, as his critics have claimed. He properly reported on Leyland’s vitriolic Twitter campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann. And she told him she was “entitled” to attack them.
Brunt in turn could argue that he was “entitled” to report on her activities. Disclosure is the point of journalism, and the facts of her tweeting are not in dispute. If people insult other people in a public forum, they must accept that they are open to public exposure, even if they use aliases.
It is, of course, fair to defend Leyland’s right to freedom of expression, but collectively, her tweets — all of which were unpalatable, and some of which I found appalling — surely amounted to a form of bullying. They are a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.
Other people who believe in the complicity of the McCanns in the death of their missing daughter, Madeleine, have tweeted worse, arguably illegal, comments. But that’s irrelevant to the overall argument about the media’s right to reveal Leyland’s attacks. She just happened to be the first to be identified.
The digital world is all about transparency. Leyland may have thought that by hiding behind her Twitter handle, @sweepyface, she could evade responsibility and public embarrassment for her actions.
I concede that the circumstances were unfortunate, and I have a feeling that Sky News will think again about live doorstepping. It may not amount to trial by media, a knee-jerk reaction to the incident, but it does smack of unnecessary intrusiveness.
Then again, I can’t help feeling that it is a bit rich to accuse Brunt of being a bully for having revealed the existence of a genuine bully. He is a sensitive man, quite unlike the stereotypical foot-in-the-door reporter of yesteryear legend, and I am sure he is upset at her death.
Roy Greenslade is Professor of Journalism, City University London, and writes a blog for the Guardian http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/doorstepping-troll-brenda-leyland-was-justified-so-lets-not-bully-skys-martin-brunt--roy-greenslade-9781575.html
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 12:08:01 PM
Then perhaps those calling for the head of Martin Brunt should also be cautioned to wait
Granted they would be wise to wait for the outcome before trapping off but if push comes to shove Mr Brunt will probably be the expendable one.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 08, 2014, 12:10:46 PM
'It is, of course, fair to defend Leyland’s right to freedom of expression, but collectively, her tweets — all of which were unpalatable, and some of which I found appalling — surely amounted to a form of bullying. They are a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.'
Unpalatable?
Appalling?
Couldn't disagree more Mr Greenslade, what are ya, a big girl or sumink?
If you found her tweets unpaletable then I imagine that 'decenct, kind people, raping you to death' tweet, would send to you to an early grave.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 12:19:09 PM
'It is, of course, fair to defend Leyland’s right to freedom of expression, but collectively, her tweets — all of which were unpalatable, and some of which I found appalling — surely amounted to a form of bullying. They are a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.'
Unpalatable?
Appalling?
Couldn't disagree more Mr Greenslade, what are ya, a big girl or sumink?
If you found her tweets unpaletable then I imagine that 'decenct, kind people, raping you to death' tweet, would send to you to an early grave.
Are you referring to the tweets made by "Rainne"?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 12:32:44 PM
isn't the coroner there to find out how she died ..not why ?
Primarily yes but the coroner has powers to question witnesses and properly interested persons, refer the case to the police for criminal investigation if he thinks there is cause, may make recommendations to prevent deaths under similar circumstances and produce a narrative conclusion to an inquest. I am sure there is information issued by The Chief Coroners Office and Ministry of Justice which defines the precise duties and powers in more detail.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 12:33:44 PM
Doorstepping ‘troll’ Brenda Leyland was justified, so let’s not bully Sky’s Martin Brunt - Roy Greenslade
A Sky News journalist has been subjected to an online bashing because he doorstepped a woman accused of “trolling” the parents of Madeleine McCann.
The woman, Brenda Leyland, was later found dead.
We need to pick our way carefully through the farrago of claims, counterclaims and details to make a sensible analysis of competing grievances. First, vastly experienced Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt did nothing wrong by knocking on Leyland’s door.
Doorstepping is part of the methodology and culture of journalism, and not just in Britain. The fêted Watergate reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward did just that, as the movie All The President’s Men portrays. It is a necessary part of the verification process that underpins all responsible journalism.
The unusual aspect in the Sky News case is that it took place during a live broadcast. Although Brunt did not reveal Leyland’s identity or the location of her home, her face was, of course, seen on screen. That’s identification enough.
The case raises ethical problems because the broadcaster could not have known her mental and emotional state. It would surely have been better to have run an edited version rather than carry it live.
That said, the result would not have been very different unless Sky News’s editors had decided, given the time to debate the matter, that it would have been appropriate to pixellate her face.
It is not fair to say that Brunt had stalked or hounded Leyland, as his critics have claimed. He properly reported on Leyland’s vitriolic Twitter campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann. And she told him she was “entitled” to attack them.
Brunt in turn could argue that he was “entitled” to report on her activities. Disclosure is the point of journalism, and the facts of her tweeting are not in dispute. If people insult other people in a public forum, they must accept that they are open to public exposure, even if they use aliases.
It is, of course, fair to defend Leyland’s right to freedom of expression, but collectively, her tweets — all of which were unpalatable, and some of which I found appalling — surely amounted to a form of bullying. They are a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.
Other people who believe in the complicity of the McCanns in the death of their missing daughter, Madeleine, have tweeted worse, arguably illegal, comments. But that’s irrelevant to the overall argument about the media’s right to reveal Leyland’s attacks. She just happened to be the first to be identified.
The digital world is all about transparency. Leyland may have thought that by hiding behind her Twitter handle, @sweepyface, she could evade responsibility and public embarrassment for her actions.
I concede that the circumstances were unfortunate, and I have a feeling that Sky News will think again about live doorstepping. It may not amount to trial by media, a knee-jerk reaction to the incident, but it does smack of unnecessary intrusiveness.
Then again, I can’t help feeling that it is a bit rich to accuse Brunt of being a bully for having revealed the existence of a genuine bully. He is a sensitive man, quite unlike the stereotypical foot-in-the-door reporter of yesteryear legend, and I am sure he is upset at her death.
Roy Greenslade is Professor of Journalism, City University London, and writes a blog for the Guardian http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/doorstepping-troll-brenda-leyland-was-justified-so-lets-not-bully-skys-martin-brunt--roy-greenslade-9781575.html
Try if you can without diverting to remember some key information.
SKY NEWS LIED in stating she was being investigayed by the police.
She wasn't.
The police were sent 'files'.
I also have noticed a member of this forum who hasn't posted in the last three says repeatedly claimed she'd been taking screenshots &%+((£
Others have been doing that as well. %£&)**#
She obviously hadn't been charged, so why were sky news there, and how did they get her address ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 12:45:20 PM
Because "Rainne" is a classic "troll". No previous history of anything to do with the Mccanns, and a series of random (extremely unpleasant) posts about "sweepyface". Lots of previous tweets about others - celebs, blacks, muslims, mormons. And a fondness for the R, F, CS and other words.
Whereas Brenda Leyland has posted over 4000 posts about the McCanns. That does seem to be a trifle obsessive.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 12:49:24 PM
In light of Martin Brunt's actions regarding the challenging of Brenda Leyland about her online activities and the subsequent rage against his actions in some quarters, what do the sceptics here now think about the actions of TV interviewer Sabine Mueller when she asked the McCanns live on TV:
"How do you feel with the fact that more and more people seem to be pointing the finger at you?
"They're saying the way you behave isn't how people would normally behave when their child is abducted.
"They seem to imply that you might have something to do with it."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mccanns-appalled-by-newsgirls-slur-480709#ixzz3FYMl6NG0 Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 12:53:26 PM
Because "Rainne" is a classic "troll". No previous history of anything to do with the Mccanns, and a series of random (extremely unpleasant) posts about "sweepyface". Lots of previous tweets about others - celebs, blacks, muslims, mormons. And a fondness for the R, F, CS and other words.
Whereas Brenda Leyland has posted over 4000 posts about the McCanns. That does seem to be a trifle obsessive.
Mmmm there are several posters on here with more than that number of posts maybe they are obsessive too?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 12:54:07 PM
In light of Martin Brunt's actions regarding the challenging of Brenda Leyland about her online activities and the subsequent rage against his actions in some quarters, what do the sceptics here now think about the actions of TV interviewer Sabine Mueller when she asked the McCanns live on TV:
"How do you feel with the fact that more and more people seem to be pointing the finger at you?
"They're saying the way you behave isn't how people would normally behave when their child is abducted.
"They seem to imply that you might have something to do with it."
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/mccanns-appalled-by-newsgirls-slur-480709#ixzz3FYMl6NG0 Follow us: @DailyMirror on Twitter | DailyMirror on Facebook
Astute post.
I will follow the replies with interest ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 08, 2014, 12:55:28 PM
Because "Rainne" is a classic "troll". No previous history of anything to do with the Mccanns, and a series of random (extremely unpleasant) posts about "sweepyface". Lots of previous tweets about others - celebs, blacks, muslims, mormons. And a fondness for the R, F, CS and other words.
Whereas Brenda Leyland has posted over 4000 posts about the McCanns. That does seem to be a trifle obsessive.
I see, you'd like to think I was arguing something along the lines of, 'pr0's post worse shite than ant1's'.
I wasn't.
What other types of 'troll' are there then?
Rainne being a 'classic' one.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 01:03:09 PM
I see, you'd like to think I was arguing something along the lines of, 'pr0's post worse shite than ant1's'.
I wasn't.
What other types of 'troll' are there then?
Rainne being a 'classic' one.
I was pointing oiut that Rainne is neither a pr0 nor an ant1. Just a troll. an equal opportunities one, to be sure - happy to rant at anyone or anything regardless of creed, colour, gender or anything else.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 01:08:52 PM
The journalist asked their question during a press conference in which the McCanns had agreed to take part. Brenda ( not Barbara ) Leyland was doorstepped and told lies to elicit a response. She was unaware that this was going to happen and did not give her consent to being questioned.
That is the difference.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 08, 2014, 01:16:17 PM
I was pointing oiut that Rainne is neither a pr0 nor an ant1. Just a troll. an equal opportunities one, to be sure - happy to rant at anyone or anything regardless of creed, colour, gender or anything else.
I was just pointing out what a big softie that Prof Greenslade is.
I notice he describes Brendas posts as 'a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.
Rainnes posts are somewhat different to Brendas though, aren't they.
'Extreme Trolling', perhaps.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 01:22:08 PM
The journalist asked their question during a press conference in which the McCanns had agreed to take part. Brenda ( not Barbara ) Leyland was doorstepped and told lies to elicit a response. She was unaware that this was going to happen and did not give her consent to being questioned.
That is the difference.
If you "put yourself out there" to the extent of 4000 tweets, directed at one family over the course of a few months, then it is not that surprising that someone might call you on it.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 01:29:32 PM
The journalist asked their question during a press conference in which the McCanns had agreed to take part. Brenda ( not Barbara ) Leyland was doorstepped and told lies to elicit a response. She was unaware that this was going to happen and did not give her consent to being questioned.
That is the difference.
The net result of the interviewers actions was shock and embarrassment and upset in the interviewees. Which is worse frankly? Being challenged about being an internet troll or being challenged about having something to do with your child's disappearance and possible death? The ONLY difference that I can see is that in one situation the shame of the accusation was too much to bear. I'm not getting in an argument with you about this Faithlilly, it's time for some decorum on all sides, so I've said what I think as indeed have you. We will have to agree to disagree.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: DCI on October 08, 2014, 02:01:06 PM
The only comment I will make on this sad occasion is this.
Brenda engaged with Brunt, outside her home she then just walked away. Why then did she come back and invite Brunt in to her home. I wonder how long he was there and what was said in the interview?
Such a shame ending her own life, but who knows what other problems she may have had. RIP Brenda!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: xtina on October 08, 2014, 02:02:28 PM
they left her didn't they...how ever you dress it up ...you do not leave toddlers unattended ..[three of them]...and then sexpect...it all just to be swept away with we....we...i...know she was abducted...
k mcc....should have cooperated in every way possible ....if only the child care .....was the same as that they expect for themselves.....
they had a responsibility to maddie ....they let her down again....
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 08, 2014, 02:02:42 PM
The onslaught on the McCanns has been organised and unrelenting.
That is … every second of every minute - every minute of every hour – every hour of every day – every day of every week – every week of every month – every month of every year since the year 2007 when their beloved daughter disappeared. The twins now appear to be ‘legitimate’ targets. Yet there are those who find no fault with that level of abuse directed at one family.
Not only has it been built on false premises … it is built on false objectives of wanting the truth.
Apparently all anyone has ever wanted are answers … so why has there been no let up on the various campaigns against the McCann family now that we are nearer to answers than at any time since the night of Madeleine’s disappearance … a stage achieved not by the ‘troof seekers’ but by the Drs McCann.
:::: :::: :::: :::: :::: :::: :::: :::: ::::
“Brian Kennedy thought it was outrageous and immediately contacted Kate. He had lots of calls from confused villagers who had received leaflets, asking what was going on. It caused pain, upset and confusion.”
However, Ms Butler, who admits involvement in the leaflet drop, said last night: “We just want the case reopened. We are not out to persecute the McCanns.
“We haven’t harassed them at all, we have leafleted. We are not harassing the McCanns in any way whatsoever. We are not stalking them. We are getting facts out in the public domain.
“If anything, we are helping them by putting the facts out there and attempting to get the case back off the shelf. We are assisting the McCanns.” http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/120885/The-McCanns-stalker
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 08, 2014, 02:05:13 PM
Doorstepping ‘troll’ Brenda Leyland was justified, so let’s not bully Sky’s Martin Brunt - Roy Greenslade
A Sky News journalist has been subjected to an online bashing because he doorstepped a woman accused of “trolling” the parents of Madeleine McCann.
The woman, Brenda Leyland, was later found dead.
We need to pick our way carefully through the farrago of claims, counterclaims and details to make a sensible analysis of competing grievances. First, vastly experienced Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt did nothing wrong by knocking on Leyland’s door.
Doorstepping is part of the methodology and culture of journalism, and not just in Britain. The fêted Watergate reporters Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward did just that, as the movie All The President’s Men portrays. It is a necessary part of the verification process that underpins all responsible journalism.
The unusual aspect in the Sky News case is that it took place during a live broadcast. Although Brunt did not reveal Leyland’s identity or the location of her home, her face was, of course, seen on screen. That’s identification enough.
The case raises ethical problems because the broadcaster could not have known her mental and emotional state. It would surely have been better to have run an edited version rather than carry it live.
That said, the result would not have been very different unless Sky News’s editors had decided, given the time to debate the matter, that it would have been appropriate to pixellate her face.
It is not fair to say that Brunt had stalked or hounded Leyland, as his critics have claimed. He properly reported on Leyland’s vitriolic Twitter campaign against Kate and Gerry McCann. And she told him she was “entitled” to attack them.
Brunt in turn could argue that he was “entitled” to report on her activities. Disclosure is the point of journalism, and the facts of her tweeting are not in dispute. If people insult other people in a public forum, they must accept that they are open to public exposure, even if they use aliases.
It is, of course, fair to defend Leyland’s right to freedom of expression, but collectively, her tweets — all of which were unpalatable, and some of which I found appalling — surely amounted to a form of bullying. They are a classic example of what we mean by “trolling”.
Other people who believe in the complicity of the McCanns in the death of their missing daughter, Madeleine, have tweeted worse, arguably illegal, comments. But that’s irrelevant to the overall argument about the media’s right to reveal Leyland’s attacks. She just happened to be the first to be identified.
The digital world is all about transparency. Leyland may have thought that by hiding behind her Twitter handle, @sweepyface, she could evade responsibility and public embarrassment for her actions.
I concede that the circumstances were unfortunate, and I have a feeling that Sky News will think again about live doorstepping. It may not amount to trial by media, a knee-jerk reaction to the incident, but it does smack of unnecessary intrusiveness.
Then again, I can’t help feeling that it is a bit rich to accuse Brunt of being a bully for having revealed the existence of a genuine bully. He is a sensitive man, quite unlike the stereotypical foot-in-the-door reporter of yesteryear legend, and I am sure he is upset at her death.
Roy Greenslade is Professor of Journalism, City University London, and writes a blog for the Guardian http://www.standard.co.uk/business/markets/doorstepping-troll-brenda-leyland-was-justified-so-lets-not-bully-skys-martin-brunt--roy-greenslade-9781575.html
That seems a fair assessment.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 02:21:20 PM
Didn't someone on here state quite categorically that she had hanged herself?
ETA: Ah, it was Joana Morais in her hysterical rant. How she should know more about the cause of death than the coroner is a puzzle.
Colombosstogey here, as well as (no doubt) Joana Morais ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: a.baker on October 08, 2014, 02:55:17 PM
Investigation still ongoing. Is it possible they could be waiting for the results of toxicology tests?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 03:01:36 PM
Sgt Taylor added that officers were awaiting the results of additional post-mortem tests and were still undertaking inquiries into the death.
Adjourning the inquest until December 18, Mrs Mason said: "It's quite clear from the evidence before me that I am not in a position to conclude (the inquest) today.
"The cause of death is still not known and police inquiries are rightly ongoing.
"Therefore, with the sergeant still tasked to complete the police inquiries and the pathologist still to provide a cause of death, I am adjourning the inquest."
Before everyone is galloping off over the horizon this is what the coroner said. But what does she know? (that is irony not suggesting a conspiracy; just saying like before some nutter goes off on one)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 03:03:40 PM
It is more than likely that the cause of death is suicide but no official will say this until the results of the PM...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 03:05:27 PM
Indeed , there was considerable gloating last week.
At least for some that has changed.
They are all busy changing IP addresses, closing accounts and sticking club hammers through hard drives, i-phones , tablets and lozenges @)(++(*
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 08, 2014, 03:42:22 PM
Hmmm … Sir BHH took time out from answering questions on ongoing terrorism, a heinous murder and suicide.
Might I suggest that he actually has no idea exactly who handed in the file detailing the instances of horrendous cyber trolling ... amazed that no-one is delighted that he mentioned the M word and Madeleine in the same breath.
That it was concerned members of the public who handed in the dossier is neither here nor there … neither would it be if it had been the Drs or someone acting on their behalf. The issue is not who handed the file in … the issue is the cowardly, evil content of the dossier which some condone and try to excuse.
A huge dossier full of hate and bile directed at one family by anonymous cowards ... that is the shameful issue here not who passed it to the police.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 03:47:34 PM
...but they have nothing to hide, have they ? 8)-)))
I was thinking of starting a blogspot called "Watching the trolls who watch the trolls watching the trolls who watch the trolls"... it scans nicely don't you think?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 08, 2014, 04:12:34 PM
Did you ever object to the door-stepping of Kate and Gerry?
that and tony bennets leaflet dropping in the McCanns village ..even having the cheek getting one of bennets skivvies to drop one in the mccanns letter box whilst he hid in a bush %£&)**#
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 04:41:33 PM
They had the press camped out on their return from portugal
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 04:46:36 PM
gloat ɡləʊt/ verb verb: gloat; 3rd person present: gloats; past tense: gloated; past participle: gloated; gerund or present participle: gloating
1. dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure.
I am sure examples can be found on here without looking too far. The whole bleeding thread basically is dwelling on Brenda Leyland's misfortune with voyeuristic* tendencies.
* look it up in a big dictionary before making half baked responses.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 04:46:54 PM
Also isn't the door stepping of Brenda the very kind of press intrusion the Gerry via Hacked Off his complaining about ?
so you are agreeing with Gerry now...the difference is that the press have doorstepped victims of crime..I personally don't think what Brunt did was particularly bad considering the tweets Brenda had made
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 04:50:16 PM
gloat ɡləʊt/ verb verb: gloat; 3rd person present: gloats; past tense: gloated; past participle: gloated; gerund or present participle: gloating
1. dwell on one's own success or another's misfortune with smugness or malignant pleasure.
I am sure examples can be found on here without looking too far. The whole bleeding thread basically is dwelling on Brenda Leyland's misfortune with voyeuristic* tendencies.
* look it up in a big dictionary before making half baked responses.
The question was actually addressed to Stephen. Wh seems to be unable to provide any examples.
I have seen shock, sadness, sympathy and puzzlement, but not gloating.
I do not think anyone here takes any malignant pleasure or smugness in a death.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 04:51:32 PM
The question was actually addressed to Stephen. Wh seems to be unable to provide any examples.
I have seen shock, sadness, sympathy and puzzlement, but not gloating.
I do not think anyone here takes any malignant pleasure or smugness in a death.
Absolutely no gloating on this forum at the death of Brenda.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Bert Singe on October 08, 2014, 04:58:53 PM
A few observations:-
1. Troll or not, Brenda has paid a heavy price. 2. Some people will feel guilty for comments made about Brenda prior to her death, some won't (the trolls who trolled her maybe?). 3. The McCann case continues to claim victims. 4. Sir BHH is feckin clueless when it comes to the McCann case.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 05:00:32 PM
They had the press camped out on their return from portugal
There are descriptions of the press banging on the roof of the car to capture a startled expression on camera ... there was no consideration given that the twins were passengers in the vehicle.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 05:09:38 PM
everything in your post is pure,malicious, speculation...
Faithlilly is assuming you have to be "rabid" to be concerned about the safety and well-being of the McCann family, it seems. And why shouldn't there be a connection between whichever supporter(s) of the family compiled the dossier and the MCanns themselves? What is wrong with that in principle I wonder...? Most odd.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 05:11:22 PM
There are descriptions of the press banging on the roof of the car to capture a startled expression on camera ... there was no consideration given that the twins were passengers in the vehicle.
Oh, snap.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 05:17:38 PM
There are descriptions of the press banging on the roof of the car to capture a startled expression on camera ... there was no consideration given that the twins were passengers in the vehicle.
Then that is inexcusable but it could be argued they reaped what they had sown ( that's certainly the opinion what Jeremy Paxman put forward while interviewing Gerry ). Brenda Leyland stated her opinion as we on this forum do every day. Are we therefore also 'fair game' ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 05:18:06 PM
Perhaps no gloating but certainly a smattering of righteous indignation !
absolutely not...Brenda was a very misguided lady with more than her fair share of problems...although her tweets were a disgrace I think she actually deserves pity
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Bert Singe on October 08, 2014, 05:22:16 PM
Faithlilly is assuming you have to be "rabid" to be concerned about the safety and well-being of the McCann family, it seems. And why shouldn't there be a connection between whichever supporter(s) of the family compiled the dossier and the MCanns themselves? What is wrong with that in principle I wonder...? Most odd.
IMO there is nothing wrong with the McCann's compiling a dossier. Is that what happened?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 05:23:44 PM
absolutely not...Brenda was a very misguided lady with more than her fair share of problems...although her tweets were a disgrace I think she actually deserves pity
Obviously you know more than the rest of us Davel. Pray tell what problems would they be, apart from not believing the McCanns ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 05:24:33 PM
Then that is inexcusable but it could be argued they reaped what they had sown ( that's certainly the opinion what Jeremy Paxman put forward while interviewing Gerry ). Brenda Leyland stated her opinion as we on this forum do every day. Are we therefore also 'fair game' ?
I think we are...and that's why we should be careful what we say and careful to keep our identities secret
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 05:27:05 PM
IMO there is nothing wrong with the McCann's compiling a dossier. Is that what happened?
I agree Bert but we are told it wasn't the McCanns but supporters and there is definitely something wrong when the contents of that dossier is handed to the press when it is the subject of a police investigation.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 08, 2014, 05:27:40 PM
I think we are...and that's why we should be careful what we say and careful to keep our identities secret
The difference between stating an opinion on a forum and on twitter is that on here at least we are moderated and sanctioned if we make overly offensive and / or illegal posts. There is no such restriction on twitter which leads people to write the most objectionable, libellous crap they feel like. I get the sense from reading Brenda's tweets that she started off being fairly moderate and careful and reasonable in her tweets but by the end she had totally lost any inhibitions. Sad - really sad.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 05:35:03 PM
Being alone...that is...divorced...estranged from her son...another son living on the other side of the world...to commit suicide because of what happened with Brunt is far from normal behaviour and suggests underlying problems
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Bert Singe on October 08, 2014, 05:37:34 PM
The difference between stating an opinion on a forum and on twitter is that on here at least we are moderated and sanctioned if we make overly offensive and / or illegal posts. There is no such restriction on twitter which leads people to write the most objectionable, libellous crap they feel like. I get the sense from reading Brenda's tweets that she started off being fairly moderate and careful and reasonable in her tweets but by the end she had totally lost any inhibitions. Sad - really sad.
In that case, which tweet do you consider to be her worst?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 08, 2014, 05:38:40 PM
Obviously you know more than the rest of us Davel. Pray tell what problems would they be, apart from not believing the McCanns ?
t
Nobody actuay knows if she had problems or not but the fact she was divorced and estranged from one of her sons may have left her feeling vulnerable and isolated . Woo knows ?
Sorry posted this at the same time as the poster above which pretty much says the same
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 05:42:35 PM
Being alone...that is...divorced...estranged from her son...another son living on the other side of the world...to commit suicide because of what happened with Brunt is far from normal behaviour and suggests underlying problems
I believe that her husband had died however your statement that being divorced and having a son who has moved abroad are 'problems' say rather more about you than it does about Brenda.
BTW Davel where did you get your information about her being estranged from her son ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 05:44:17 PM
I believe that her husband had died however your statement that being divorced and having a son who has moved abroad are 'problems' say rather more about you than it does about Brenda.
BTW Davel where did you get your information about her being estranged from her son ?
What does it say about me?....the fact that I am very astute...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 05:57:44 PM
In that case, which tweet do you consider to be her worst?
I haven't ranked them in order of nastiness. I think she addresses the McCanns directly in one and accuses them of being killers which isn't very nice, especially as she actually believed that the McCanns would read her tweets. Cumulatively her tweets paint a portrait of someone not in a good place. No one could read through those 4300 tweets and form a positive impression of the person who wrote them, could they?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: VIXTE on October 08, 2014, 06:26:45 PM
I believe that her husband had died however your statement that being divorced and having a son who has moved abroad are 'problems' say rather more about you than it does about Brenda.
BTW Davel where did you get your information about her being estranged from her son ?
So can I presume that all the McCann supporters are happily married ( I believe Trisha Cameron is now divorced so will we see her tweeting with the sceptics soon ) and get on swimmingly with their children ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 06:44:02 PM
The lady was a divorcee estranged from one of her children.............so?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 08, 2014, 06:53:24 PM
The interview was a class crash, or digital secrecy meeting wild-and-free TV journalism, or chickens coming home to a sordid roost, call it what you will. But two people talked in low tones in the street about cruelty and one of them died.
The McCann hate campaign was unusual in that it was fuelled by something more than the usual misogyny or racism. It was a shared experience, an orgy of loathing. There was something “medieval” about the entire story, the Telegraph wrote intelligently, as though the McCanns, Leyland and the reporter were serially being put in the stocks for a mass public stoning. It’s hideous to watch Leyland tell the reporter, “I’m entitled” and suddenly realize she would now herself be “McCanned.”
Leyland didn’t grasp that law against libel or urging violent attacks applied to her, just as troll defenders don’t see that the McCanns have legal rights beyond simple humanity or that the polite reporter is as horrified as anyone.
The interview was a class crash, or digital secrecy meeting wild-and-free TV journalism, or chickens coming home to a sordid roost, call it what you will. But two people talked in low tones in the street about cruelty and one of them died.
The McCann hate campaign was unusual in that it was fuelled by something more than the usual misogyny or racism. It was a shared experience, an orgy of loathing. There was something “medieval” about the entire story, the Telegraph wrote intelligently, as though the McCanns, Leyland and the reporter were serially being put in the stocks for a mass public stoning. It’s hideous to watch Leyland tell the reporter, “I’m entitled” and suddenly realize she would now herself be “McCanned.”
Leyland didn’t grasp that law against libel or urging violent attacks applied to her, just as troll defenders don’t see that the McCanns have legal rights beyond simple humanity or that the polite reporter is as horrified as anyone.
The lady was a divorcee estranged from one of her children.............so?
if I said the pope was a catholic I would expect you to disagree
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 08, 2014, 08:16:31 PM
I find it to be a complex issue. My thoughts go out to her family at this difficult time.
If she had indeed taken her own life (which hasn't been confirmed) over being confronted about the contents of her online persona, then it also stands to reason, IMO, that others could also overstep the boundary and cause physical harm to the McCann family or anyone even vaguely associated with them. Some, IMO, individually or collectively, have been overstepping the boundary in terms of psychological harm for years.
Her online "friends" could have encouraged her to take a step back. I have no idea whether any one of them tried.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: pathfinder73 on October 08, 2014, 08:24:21 PM
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 08:27:26 PM
Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, Tuesday, 7 October, BBC London:
"The family handed (the file) to our team who are investigating, reviewing the murder, sorry, reviewing the missing girl ......"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p02789bx - at 26 minutes onwards.
So Hogan-Howe mentions again that Operation Grange is a 'murder' investigation/review and admits for the first time that the so-called "dossier" was handed to the MPS by "THE FAMILY" - no mention of any anonymous group!
' But Gerry "Furious" McCann had already previously stated that he hadn't seen any of sweepyface's tweets!!!! '
So benice, any slip ups there were there ???
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 08:32:48 PM
Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, Tuesday, 7 October, BBC London:
"The family handed (the file) to our team who are investigating, reviewing the murder, sorry, reviewing the missing girl ......"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p02789bx - at 26 minutes onwards.
So Hogan-Howe mentions again that Operation Grange is a 'murder' investigation/review and admits for the first time that the so-called "dossier" was handed to the MPS by "THE FAMILY" - no mention of any anonymous group!
' But Gerry "Furious" McCann had already previously stated that he hadn't seen any of sweepyface's tweets!!!! '
So benice, any slip ups there were there ???
So not necessarily Kate or Gerry but one of the family...and so they should report harassment to the police
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 08:34:31 PM
Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, Tuesday, 7 October, BBC London:
"The family handed (the file) to our team who are investigating, reviewing the murder, sorry, reviewing the missing girl ......"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p02789bx - at 26 minutes onwards.
So Hogan-Howe mentions again that Operation Grange is a 'murder' investigation/review and admits for the first time that the so-called "dossier" was handed to the MPS by "THE FAMILY" - no mention of any anonymous group!
' But Gerry "Furious" McCann had already previously stated that he hadn't seen any of sweepyface's tweets!!!! '
So benice, any slip ups there were there ???
The immediate 'slip up' I can see ... is your mask.
The other one is the adulterated "snitch" you tube video ... that is not how the BBC have billed the programme.
Both in true form in the insidious ... and intrinsically evil ... campaign bring run against the McCanns.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 08:46:50 PM
I am reporting what is on the internet, in this case on B.B.C. Radio London. %£&)**# %£&)**# %£&)**#
I followed the link earlier and I saw it before it had been 'got at'.
... and isn't what is on the internet exactly the problem under discussion ... you appear to have a predilection for pejorative statements such as the one I highlighted in your post.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 09:20:31 PM
I followed the link earlier and I saw it before it had been 'got at'.
... and isn't what is on the internet exactly the problem under discussion ... you appear to have a predilection for pejorative statements such as the one I highlighted in your post.
They are both from the B.B.C.
Now explain how they have been 'got at'.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 09:41:55 PM
if I said the pope was a catholic I would expect you to disagree
I was asking why it was significant that she was divorced and estranged from one of her children? According the Office of Statistics 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce so it would not be particularly remarkable. Mussen Sie nicht einverstanden ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 09:45:50 PM
I was asking why it was significant that she was divorced and estranged from one of her children? According the Office of Statistics 42% of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce so it would not be particularly remarkable. Mussen Sie nicht einverstanden ?
Whats the point in my explaining it to you....your mind is set and would accept no explanation
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 09:51:07 PM
I have already told you ... I had sight of the official BBC site ... prior to the addition of the text by person or perons unknown. Your turn now ... where exactly is your cite for the allegation you have made about death threats to Dr Amaral? You appear to be anxious to ensure mention of things you consider damaging to the Drs McCann ... so where is it?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 09:56:00 PM
I have already told you ... I had sight of the official BBC site ... prior to the addition of the text by person or perons unknown. Your turn now ... where exactly is your cite for the allegation you have made about death threats to Dr Amaral? You appear to be anxious to ensure mention of things you consider damaging to the Drs McCann ... so where is it?
I specifically listened to the radio show to hear exactly what BHH said and he said the dossier was handed to them by the family so I don't see what point you're making.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 08, 2014, 09:56:30 PM
I have already told you ... I had sight of the official BBC site ... prior to the addition of the text by person or perons unknown. Your turn now ... where exactly is your cite for the allegation you have made about death threats to Dr Amaral? You appear to be anxious to ensure mention of things you consider damaging to the Drs McCann ... so where is it?
You are saying these are fake, now PROVE IT.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 09:57:30 PM
Nein herr oberschutze ich war nicht in Essex oder Kent geborren *&*%£
Ja, es war
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 08, 2014, 10:22:02 PM
The question now is how long will it take Gilleta, sorry Brietta, and Davel to escape from the corner they've slowly but surely painted themselves into ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 10:22:19 PM
The question now is how long will it take Gilleta, sorry Brietta, and Davel to escape from the corner they've slowly but surely painted themselves into ?
no corner..Brenda..bless her...was almost certainly a troubled soul, tipped over the edge by the outing...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 08, 2014, 10:29:10 PM
The question now is how long will it take Gilleta, sorry Brietta, and Davel to escape from the corner they've slowly but surely painted themselves into ?
Your imagination is running wild again, Faith ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 08, 2014, 10:41:34 PM
no corner..Brenda..bless her...was almost certainly a troubled soul, tipped over the edge by the outing...
This lady’s family are grieving and probably bewildered as to how a social media site could be the cause of her death( if indeed it was). My deepest sympathies are with them, at this very sad time.
She was a well respected and liked, lady in her community and a regular church goer with two children.
According to her posts, she was very popular in her group and quite intelligent.
I am totally shocked that such a person could have taken part in these very nasty posts and I think the possibility of loneliness or illness can not be ruled out. If she lived alone and her body had to be identified by her ex husband, there is a fair possibility that she had no family or close friends, nearby and I would also be lonely if that was the case.
Reading her posts, I observed, that she really did believe, that she was doing no wrong, however the day that she deleted her account and posts, she must have had a sudden change of heart, or had a warning of what was about to happen.
May her death be a lesson to us all and I pray there will be no repeats of the events that may have led to Brenda Leyland’s tragic death.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 08, 2014, 10:45:44 PM
This lady’s family are grieving and probably bewildered as to how a social media site could be the cause of her death( if indeed it was). My deepest sympathies are with them, at this very sad time.
She was a well respected and liked, lady in her community and a regular church goer with two children.
According to her posts, she was very popular in her group and quite intelligent.
I am totally shocked that such a person could have taken part in these very nasty posts and I think the possibility of loneliness or illness can not be ruled out. If she lived alone and her body had to be identified by her ex husband, there is a fair possibility that she had no family or close friends, nearby and I would also be lonely if that was the case.
Reading her posts, I observed, that she really did believe, that she was doing no wrong, however the day that she deleted her account and posts, she must have had a sudden change of heart, or had a warning of what was about to happen.
May her death be a lesson to us all and I pray there will be no repeats of the events that may have led to Brenda Leyland’s tragic death.
And what would that lesson be Anna ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 10:53:10 PM
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Miss Taken Identity on October 08, 2014, 10:59:38 PM
It needs to be a member of the immediate family who identify the body. They would not allow a crowd hanging about the morgue to fight over who should identify her. I think it is wrong to speculate about her mental health /well being, however it is too much of a coincidence the McCann's incident and her untimely death.
No Doubt again the McCann saga drags on making money for the greedy cha ching!
This is not the first time things have mysteriously appeared. Remember Charles and Camila got an anonymous tip off about an abductor back in the day? Team Mcs involved the pope, the media , the government, The royal family, two police forces....
I think Brenda will be pleased this is being discussed now, and her questions may well be answered soon. She has brought into the front ALL the dirt that was being hidden-reputations will now be re visited!
This the true story.
Kate and Gerry go on holiday- they go out dining and drinking every night - leave their children alone- one disappears mysteriously.
The End.
Judge for yourselves.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 08, 2014, 11:01:13 PM
That is one. Faith and her pal Alice, know they are on my ignore list. It is for people on these sites to decide for themselves where she went wrong or some might even think that she did not. Either way it probably resulted in her death
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 11:02:24 PM
This lady’s family are grieving and probably bewildered as to how a social media site could be the cause of her death( if indeed it was). My deepest sympathies are with them, at this very sad time.
She was a well respected and liked, lady in her community and a regular church goer with two children.
According to her posts, she was very popular in her group and quite intelligent.
I am totally shocked that such a person could have taken part in these very nasty posts and I think the possibility of loneliness or illness can not be ruled out. If she lived alone and her body had to be identified by her ex husband, there is a fair possibility that she had no family or close friends, nearby and I would also be lonely if that was the case.
Reading her posts, I observed, that she really did believe, that she was doing no wrong, however the day that she deleted her account and posts, she must have had a sudden change of heart, or had a warning of what was about to happen.
May her death be a lesson to us all and I pray there will be no repeats of the events that may have led to Brenda Leyland’s tragic death.
An immensely humane, dignified and compassionate post ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 11:09:36 PM
That is one. Faith and her pal Alice, know they are on my ignore list. It is for people on these sites to decide for themselves where she went wrong or some might even think that she did not. Either way it probably resulted in her death
There are as you suggest several lessons to be learned from this sad affair but it strikes me that many people are not interested in learning any of them, which is depressing in itself.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 08, 2014, 11:09:59 PM
That is one. Faith and her pal Alice, know they are on my ignore list. It is for people on these sites to decide for themselves where she went wrong or some might even think that she did not. Either way it probably resulted in her death
What do you think is worse Anna?
Parents leaving their children alone every night- one dissapears, maybe raped, tortured, murdered/
A Police officer writing a book on events
A woman who challenges the parents behaviour- who have become celebrities and rich beyond their wildest dreams on the back of their daughter demise?
Well...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 08, 2014, 11:14:52 PM
Parents leaving their children alone every night- one dissapears, maybe raped, tortured, murdered/
A Police officer writing a book on events
A woman who challenges the parents behaviour- who have become celebrities and rich beyond their wildest dreams on the back of their daughter demise?
Well...
I think the worst thing is your slanted description of these three events...the sort of encouragement to make people feel it's right to harass the McCanns...the type of behaviour that has led to Brendas early sad death
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Cudge on October 08, 2014, 11:15:45 PM
I think the worst thing is your slanted description of these three events...the sort of encouragement to make people feel it's right to harass the McCanns...the type of behaviour that has led to Brendas early sad death
My sentiments entirely.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 08, 2014, 11:21:40 PM
ftp:// You are saying these are fake, now PROVE IT.
Stephen - a couple of pages ago you made mention of "gloating" by posters on this forum. I have asked you very politely a few times to provide examples.
I can only conclude that you are unable to do so. So maybe withdraw the comment and apologise?
telling a poster to PROVE IT makes you look rather like a petulant and rather ill mannered child, and a bit rich given your failure to back up your comments. But par for the course.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 08, 2014, 11:25:28 PM
Who sees them as being celebrities I certainly do not and when did they become rich beyond their wildest dreams is there any evidence of this ?
No and her question doesnt deserve an answer. but.....................................................................
No there is no evidence, but it was repeatedly on Brenda's posts
401748499802255360|Sat Nov 16 16:28:01 +0000 2013|#McCann The McCann new Wanna b Celeb life style doesn't come cheap ! they need to keep the Fund/ Lies going for at least another 8 years
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 08, 2014, 11:27:48 PM
David Aaronovitch made some very pertinent observations in a Times article ... unfortunately it appears that there remains a hard core who see only opportunity for further abuse in Ms Leyland's death ... and not a time for reflection and real concern for her family.
"I am pretty sure that if the Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt had his time over again he would decide not to doorstep an unknown and unknowable minor social miscreant like Brenda. In a very soft and calm voice she told him that she thought she was entitled to make the comments she had, and then she went off and committed suicide. Who knew? And Brunt will be very upset. But now, of course, the critics came for him. A Facebook page was set up arguing that he should be fired. And a little voice whispered inside my head: “And what if he kills himself?” Will we go after the anti-Brunt Facebookers?"
David Aaronovitch made some very pertinent observations in a Times article ... unfortunately it appears that there remains a hard core who see only opportunity for further abuse in Ms Leland's death ... and not a time for reflection and real concern for her family.
"I am pretty sure that if the Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt had his time over again he would decide not to doorstep an unknown and unknowable minor social miscreant like Brenda. In a very soft and calm voice she told him that she thought she was entitled to make the comments she had, and then she went off and committed suicide. Who knew? And Brunt will be very upset. But now, of course, the critics came for him. A Facebook page was set up arguing that he should be fired. And a little voice whispered inside my head: “And what if he kills himself?” Will we go after the anti-Brunt Facebookers?"
I think the worst thing is your slanted description of these three events...the sort of encouragement to make people feel it's right to harass the McCanns...the type of behaviour that has led to Brendas early sad death
In bold seriously? what I said was worse than Maddie being raped, torured, murdered? ok says more about you than me.
I am not harassing anyone, I am stating facts here, does it annoy you? please click ignore button. I have never wished harm to the mccans or wrongly accused them of anything....
Celebrities; no one knew of them or cared about them before this happened- they set up a fund and enjoyed a millionaires lifestyle-travelling the world - NOT searching for their daughter, oh no- The Oprah show among other things...
That luverly chunk of money in the 'fund' being used to... search for Maddie. (?)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Miss Taken Identity on October 08, 2014, 11:35:10 PM
No and her question doesnt deserve an answer. but.....................................................................
No there is no evidence, but it was repeatedly on Brenda's posts
401748499802255360|Sat Nov 16 16:28:01 +0000 2013|#McCann The McCann new Wanna b Celeb life style doesn't come cheap ! they need to keep the Fund/ Lies going for at least another 8 years
Oh Dear, you are trying to tar me with that brush...Oh Dear trolling much are you sweetie? name calling is about to begin again?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 08, 2014, 11:38:24 PM
David Aaronovitch made some very pertinent observations in a Times article ... unfortunately it appears that there remains a hard core who see only opportunity for further abuse in Ms Leyland's death ... and not a time for reflection and real concern for her family.
"I am pretty sure that if the Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt had his time over again he would decide not to doorstep an unknown and unknowable minor social miscreant like Brenda. In a very soft and calm voice she told him that she thought she was entitled to make the comments she had, and then she went off and committed suicide. Who knew? And Brunt will be very upset. But now, of course, the critics came for him. A Facebook page was set up arguing that he should be fired. And a little voice whispered inside my head: “And what if he kills himself?” Will we go after the anti-Brunt Facebookers?"
I've often wondered how some people would react if Kate had been driven over the edge ...
A lot of decent people will be shocked and dismayed about what has happened.
If Kate had been pushed over the edge people would be shocked,(yes, some idiots would jeer) since her daughter is missing it would be very natural for her to be in shock and depression at her situation.
quote "unknowable minor social miscreant like Brenda." Well, this was from a 'respectable' journalist!
He who hath not sinned may cast the first stone...
Nasty indeed!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 12:18:06 AM
I've often wondered how some people would react if Kate had been driven over the edge ...
I read the comments on an unregulated forum when the headlines reflected testimony in the libel trial that she had felt suicidal ... unfortunately ... I know exactly how some of these people would have reacted to such an event.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 07:28:10 AM
Stephen - a couple of pages ago you made mention of "gloating" by posters on this forum. I have asked you very politely a few times to provide examples.
I can only conclude that you are unable to do so. So maybe withdraw the comment and apologise?
telling a poster to PROVE IT makes you look rather like a petulant and rather ill mannered child, and a bit rich given your failure to back up your comments. But par for the course.
One last time.
First, apologize for what, the behaviour of other people ?
I don't think so.
The gloating took place by supporters on here and far worse elsewhere, e.g. twitter, when Brenda's identity was revealed.
It all changed when her death was announced, and that along with the dossier, resulted in several people closing their twitter accounts and certain websites supporting the mccanns mysteriously closing.
As to petulance jean, it's written all over your post, nothing new there though, simply par for the course. Most notable when adverse information comes to the surface, so the mccann supporter mantra of attacking the poster comes to the fore yet again.
Meanwhile brietta claims the B.B.C. links were altered. Now that's her statement. %£&)**# %£&)**# %£&)**#
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 09, 2014, 08:19:25 AM
David Aaronovitch made some very pertinent observations in a Times article ... unfortunately it appears that there remains a hard core who see only opportunity for further abuse in Ms Leyland's death ... and not a time for reflection and real concern for her family.
"I am pretty sure that if the Sky News crime reporter Martin Brunt had his time over again he would decide not to doorstep an unknown and unknowable minor social miscreant like Brenda. In a very soft and calm voice she told him that she thought she was entitled to make the comments she had, and then she went off and committed suicide. Who knew? And Brunt will be very upset. But now, of course, the critics came for him. A Facebook page was set up arguing that he should be fired. And a little voice whispered inside my head: “And what if he kills himself?” Will we go after the anti-Brunt Facebookers?"
And there is also a hardcore, the media which Aaronovitch is a part of included, who only see further opportunity in her death to abuse Mrs Leyland.
I'm so glad that this rather ill-informed social commentator didn't take advantage of the platform his opinion piece has given him to further compound the pain and grief of the family of this 'minor social miscreant ' by further abusing her name !!!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 09, 2014, 08:27:30 AM
Likeable, Sociable and Smart. So Why a Troll? By The Daily Telegraph Published: 08th October 2014 11:28 AM Last Updated: 08th October 2014 11:28 AM
Email0 Found dead after being outed as an obsessive Twitter abuser of Kate and Gerry McCann, Brenda Leyland's case confounds stereotypes, writes Elizabeth Grice
We know enough about trolls to realise that they are not a uniform bunch of internet thugs and that it is unwise to lump them together into one category of nastiness.
There are the wicked, the criminal, the drunk, the disinhibited, the sad, the obsessives. This week, the pitiful case of Brenda Leyland, who was found dead in a Leicester hotel soon after being unmasked as a remorseless online abuser of Kate and Gerry McCann, overturned even the broadest understanding of what the constituency of trolling really is.
There is an incontinent sort of viciousness that goes with attacking people from the anonymity of a Twitter account. No one in the neat village of Burton Overy, Leics, suspected that Mrs Leyland had a cruel bone in her body, let alone the sort of mindset to pursue a vitriolic campaign again the grieving parents of the missing child, Madeleine McCann.
A likeable, churchgoing woman of no obviously strong views, she seemed more interested in gardening, photography and quizzes than any solitary obsession with tweeting. She also had a passionate, innocuous leading role in the village's annual scarecrow competition.
Yet, hiding behind the alias @sweepyface, she insinuated that the McCanns were implicated in their three-year-old daughter's disappearance during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 - a theme that had obsessed her for four years. According to the website BuzzFeed, she was sometimes posting more than 50 tweets a day, even on Christmas Eve, beginning at 7am and going on until midnight.
A common complaint was that the McCanns were trying to silence their critics. The accusations were not original but her turn of phrase was blithe and deadly. "You will be hated for the rest of your miserable, evil, conniving lives, have a nice day!"
When Mrs Leyland was confronted by Sky News about her campaign of hate last Thursday, her vituperation shrivelled like a pricked balloon. She mumbled about being entitled to say such things and said she hoped she had not broken the law. Soon after, she went to ground. Now she is dead. It looks certain that the two events are connected and that she could not live with the ignominy of being a named troll, suddenly outed, suddenly herself the target of torrents of abuse and forced to face the consequences.
Brenda Leyland, nee Shevlin, was born in Stockport, Lancs, the daughter of Colin Shevlin, a squadron leader in the RAF, and his wife, Doreen. As a girl, she had attended the Convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in West Sussex, and went on to study at Goldsmith's College, London University. Her marriage to Michael Leyland, a company director, ended around 2000 and he remarried in 2002. To say that Mrs Leyland, a 63-year-old divorcee with two grown-up sons, did not conform to the image of the incoherent, half-literate troller who spits poison as a reflex compensation for lack of self-esteem, is an understatement. She fitted well, if unobtrusively, into the village life of Burton Overy. She was outwardly sociable, but there was an element of loneliness and disappointment in her life that had intensified with age and the break-up of her marriage - and she had developed such an obsession with the McCanns that almost all the 4,625 tweets she sent from December 2010 were about the case, many taking issue with their supporters.
It was an industrious hidden life. Emboldened by disguise, she shared the assumption of all internet trolls that she could say anything she pleased without being held accountable. As Prof Mary Beard told The Daily Telegraph when she was campaigning last year against misogynist trolling: "Anonymity has disguised the nature of authorship. It has allowed these evanescent creatures on the web to blast off without thinking of the victims. Somehow no one in this conversation is real. They are just names." Mrs Leyland tweeted triumphantly at the height of her persecution: "You can move to France, anywhere, but social media is everywhere! Our memories are long, Maddie deserves it."
Her message seemed mild compared with some of the foul-mouthed stuff that has continued to rain down on the McCanns - but there was menace in it, too. Questioned by Sky News reporter Martin Brunt, she said she was "entitled" to tweet as she did - though her justification, without the protective cloak of anonymity, sounded far from confident. Brunt, one of the most respected television reporters in the business, was invited into Mrs Leyland's house and spent time talking to her about her concerns over the McCann case off-camera. Inevitably, he has himself now become the victim of trolling, with a Facebook page set up under the title "Sack Martin Brunt".
What he could not have known when he approached her was the personal tragedy behind Mrs Leyland's confessed obsession. She was estranged from her eldest son, Daniel, and never spoke of him. Saturday, the day when her body was found in Leicester's Marriott hotel, was Daniel's 37th birthday.
A neighbour commented: "Deep down it must have hurt that he cut his mum out of his life. Whether that made her anti the McCanns, who seemed to have a very loving, supportive and happy family, we will never know. We were friends but grew apart because she was a one-way ticket. She could be quite nasty and was very controlling.
"When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to her home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour."
Mrs Leyland's younger son, Ben, 30, lives in Los Angeles where he works for a law firm. He posted a brief emotional tribute on Facebook saying: "I love you mum and I will miss you forever. I am love and I am light, thanks to you."
In the absence of the one person who seemed to value her, such village friendships as she had sound poor substitutes for meaningful family life. Mrs Leyland's mother died in 2004 and she had distant relations in Australia, but few in Britain, other than her estranged son. A friend described her as "lonely beyond belief."
A neighbour in Burton Overy whose son is a friend of Mrs Leyland's son, Ben, said: "I just can't understand why she would have posted those things. No one in this village can. But then, for her to take her life is even more inexplicable. She just packed her bags and took off."
Another villager suggested that the threat of being unmasked and prosecuted was overwhelming.
"She was a proud, very bright articulate and upstanding lady and the thought of a prison sentence hanging over her would have devastated her. Sadly, she couldn't live with herself."
comments powered by Disqus Disclaimer: We respect your thoughts and views! But we need to be judicious while moderating your comments. All the comments will be moderated by the NIE editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines. Read
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 08:31:39 AM
Likeable, Sociable and Smart. So Why a Troll? By The Daily Telegraph Published: 08th October 2014 11:28 AM Last Updated: 08th October 2014 11:28 AM
Email0 Found dead after being outed as an obsessive Twitter abuser of Kate and Gerry McCann, Brenda Leyland's case confounds stereotypes, writes Elizabeth Grice
We know enough about trolls to realise that they are not a uniform bunch of internet thugs and that it is unwise to lump them together into one category of nastiness.
There are the wicked, the criminal, the drunk, the disinhibited, the sad, the obsessives. This week, the pitiful case of Brenda Leyland, who was found dead in a Leicester hotel soon after being unmasked as a remorseless online abuser of Kate and Gerry McCann, overturned even the broadest understanding of what the constituency of trolling really is.
There is an incontinent sort of viciousness that goes with attacking people from the anonymity of a Twitter account. No one in the neat village of Burton Overy, Leics, suspected that Mrs Leyland had a cruel bone in her body, let alone the sort of mindset to pursue a vitriolic campaign again the grieving parents of the missing child, Madeleine McCann.
A likeable, churchgoing woman of no obviously strong views, she seemed more interested in gardening, photography and quizzes than any solitary obsession with tweeting. She also had a passionate, innocuous leading role in the village's annual scarecrow competition.
Yet, hiding behind the alias @sweepyface, she insinuated that the McCanns were implicated in their three-year-old daughter's disappearance during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 - a theme that had obsessed her for four years. According to the website BuzzFeed, she was sometimes posting more than 50 tweets a day, even on Christmas Eve, beginning at 7am and going on until midnight.
A common complaint was that the McCanns were trying to silence their critics. The accusations were not original but her turn of phrase was blithe and deadly. "You will be hated for the rest of your miserable, evil, conniving lives, have a nice day!"
When Mrs Leyland was confronted by Sky News about her campaign of hate last Thursday, her vituperation shrivelled like a pricked balloon. She mumbled about being entitled to say such things and said she hoped she had not broken the law. Soon after, she went to ground. Now she is dead. It looks certain that the two events are connected and that she could not live with the ignominy of being a named troll, suddenly outed, suddenly herself the target of torrents of abuse and forced to face the consequences.
Brenda Leyland, nee Shevlin, was born in Stockport, Lancs, the daughter of Colin Shevlin, a squadron leader in the RAF, and his wife, Doreen. As a girl, she had attended the Convent of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in West Sussex, and went on to study at Goldsmith's College, London University. Her marriage to Michael Leyland, a company director, ended around 2000 and he remarried in 2002. To say that Mrs Leyland, a 63-year-old divorcee with two grown-up sons, did not conform to the image of the incoherent, half-literate troller who spits poison as a reflex compensation for lack of self-esteem, is an understatement. She fitted well, if unobtrusively, into the village life of Burton Overy. She was outwardly sociable, but there was an element of loneliness and disappointment in her life that had intensified with age and the break-up of her marriage - and she had developed such an obsession with the McCanns that almost all the 4,625 tweets she sent from December 2010 were about the case, many taking issue with their supporters.
It was an industrious hidden life. Emboldened by disguise, she shared the assumption of all internet trolls that she could say anything she pleased without being held accountable. As Prof Mary Beard told The Daily Telegraph when she was campaigning last year against misogynist trolling: "Anonymity has disguised the nature of authorship. It has allowed these evanescent creatures on the web to blast off without thinking of the victims. Somehow no one in this conversation is real. They are just names." Mrs Leyland tweeted triumphantly at the height of her persecution: "You can move to France, anywhere, but social media is everywhere! Our memories are long, Maddie deserves it."
Her message seemed mild compared with some of the foul-mouthed stuff that has continued to rain down on the McCanns - but there was menace in it, too. Questioned by Sky News reporter Martin Brunt, she said she was "entitled" to tweet as she did - though her justification, without the protective cloak of anonymity, sounded far from confident. Brunt, one of the most respected television reporters in the business, was invited into Mrs Leyland's house and spent time talking to her about her concerns over the McCann case off-camera. Inevitably, he has himself now become the victim of trolling, with a Facebook page set up under the title "Sack Martin Brunt".
What he could not have known when he approached her was the personal tragedy behind Mrs Leyland's confessed obsession. She was estranged from her eldest son, Daniel, and never spoke of him. Saturday, the day when her body was found in Leicester's Marriott hotel, was Daniel's 37th birthday.
A neighbour commented: "Deep down it must have hurt that he cut his mum out of his life. Whether that made her anti the McCanns, who seemed to have a very loving, supportive and happy family, we will never know. We were friends but grew apart because she was a one-way ticket. She could be quite nasty and was very controlling.
"When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to her home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour."
Mrs Leyland's younger son, Ben, 30, lives in Los Angeles where he works for a law firm. He posted a brief emotional tribute on Facebook saying: "I love you mum and I will miss you forever. I am love and I am light, thanks to you."
In the absence of the one person who seemed to value her, such village friendships as she had sound poor substitutes for meaningful family life. Mrs Leyland's mother died in 2004 and she had distant relations in Australia, but few in Britain, other than her estranged son. A friend described her as "lonely beyond belief."
A neighbour in Burton Overy whose son is a friend of Mrs Leyland's son, Ben, said: "I just can't understand why she would have posted those things. No one in this village can. But then, for her to take her life is even more inexplicable. She just packed her bags and took off."
Another villager suggested that the threat of being unmasked and prosecuted was overwhelming.
"She was a proud, very bright articulate and upstanding lady and the thought of a prison sentence hanging over her would have devastated her. Sadly, she couldn't live with herself."
comments powered by Disqus Disclaimer: We respect your thoughts and views! But we need to be judicious while moderating your comments. All the comments will be moderated by the NIE editorial. Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks. Try to avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines. Read
At the moment as the cause of her death has yet to be established, perhaps some people should be quiet.
I note the Telegraph doesn't give any mention to the nasty little trolls who support the mccanns.
Why is that 'alfred' ?
Any ideas ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 09, 2014, 08:40:09 AM
How awfully sad.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 09:07:36 AM
very sad indeed...(Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...A woman rejected in love can be very angry and dangerous)
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Montclair on October 09, 2014, 09:18:14 AM
I see the journalist has to resort to some kind psychological analysis of why Brenda Leyland tweeted about Madeleine McCann's disappearance. Why can't these McCann apologists see that, like so many other people, she most probably was scandalised that the parents [moderated] neglected their children, they become celebritities and the darlings of the UK establishment. The press wants us all to believe that anyone who questions the McCanns' version must somehow be mentally unstable, obsessive and have serious problems in their lives. I suppose you could say that Emile Zola was an obsessive when he campaigned for Alfred Dreyfus and wrote "J'Accuse".
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 09:40:23 AM
You don't read, or you ignore what you have been already told.
The relevant information has now been passed to the Police.
Now you've made a claim that the two links from the B.B.C. were altered/faked..............
In which Hogan-Howe admits the dossier was given to them by the mccann family and he said, with a slip of the tongue 'murder' then 'missing child'.
Mmmm.
You have made a statement on a number of occasions in which you claim uncategorically that death threats were made to Dr Amaral and have implied these are connected to Madeleine McCann's case.
You have consistently refused to give a source for these comments … the exceedingly lame excuse that they are in your dossier will not suffice.
You have made a claim which you are unable to substantiate … one can only surmise that the claim you make is false … and you know that to be the case.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 09:46:30 AM
You have made a statement on a number of occasions in which you claim uncategorically that death threats were made to Dr Amaral and have implied these are connected to Madeleine McCann's case.
You have consistently refused to give a source for these comments … the exceedingly lame excuse that they are in your dossier will not suffice.
You have made a claim which you are unable to substantiate … one can only surmise that the claim you make is false … and you know that to be the case.
Ah more diversion.
The documents/files/posts are now with the police.
It is for them to deal with.
What you 'think' is irrelevant.
You can attack me if you wish, but it will get you nowhere.
Now you accused me last night of posting altered/faked B.B.C. links..........................
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 09, 2014, 09:47:41 AM
I see the journalist has to resort to some kind psychological analysis of why Brenda Leyland tweeted about Madeleine McCann's disappearance. Why can't these McCann apologists see that, like so many other people, she most probably was scandalised that the parents [moderated] neglected their children, they become celebritities and the darlings of the UK establishment. The press wants us all to believe that anyone who questions the McCanns' version must somehow be mentally unstable, obsessive and have serious problems in their lives. I suppose you could say that Emile Zola was an obsessive when he campaigned for Alfred Dreyfus and wrote "J'Accuse".
Sadly the Brenda Leyland legacy lives on, epitomised in the post above ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 09:48:17 AM
You have made a statement on a number of occasions in which you claim uncategorically that death threats were made to Dr Amaral and have implied these are connected to Madeleine McCann's case.
You have consistently refused to give a source for these comments … the exceedingly lame excuse that they are in your dossier will not suffice.
You have made a claim which you are unable to substantiate … one can only surmise that the claim you make is false … and you know that to be the case.
I agree..
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 09:51:11 AM
You don't read, or you ignore what you have been already told.
The relevant information has now been passed to the Police.
Now you've made a claim that the two links from the B.B.C. were altered/faked..............
In which Hogan-Howe admits the dossier was given to them by the mccann family and he said, with a slip of the tongue 'murder' then 'missing child'.
Mmmm.
I suggest that you are making a false claim and are deviously twisting my words in what I consider to be a dangerous fashion. True troll tactics.
As you well know comment has been added to a video on youtube … unless you can show me on the official BBC website any referral whatsoever to the ‘snitched dossier’.
Do not attempt to make a liar out of me again … and have the courtesy not to respond to any of my posts unless they are addressed to something you have posted … I am considering my position on that and you may be the first official ‘ignore’ I make.
Quite frankly you are not worth the bother.
I refer you to part of my original post on this matter …
“Might I suggest that he actually has no idea exactly who handed in the file detailing the instances of horrendous cyber trolling ... amazed that no-one is delighted that he mentioned the M word and Madeleine in the same breath.” http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5390.msg191282#msg191282
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 10:03:01 AM
I suggest that you are making a false claim and are deviously twisting my words in what I consider to be a dangerous fashion. True troll tactics.
As you well know comment has been added to a video on youtube … unless you can show me on the official BBC website any referral whatsoever to the ‘snitched dossier’.
Do not attempt to make a liar out of me again … and have the courtesy not to respond to any of my posts unless they are addressed to something you have posted … I am considering my position on that and you may be the first official ‘ignore’ I make.
Quite frankly you are not worth the bother.
I refer you to part of my original post on this matter …
“Might I suggest that he actually has no idea exactly who handed in the file detailing the instances of horrendous cyber trolling ... amazed that no-one is delighted that he mentioned the M word and Madeleine in the same breath.” http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5390.msg191282#msg191282
Try again brietta.
You claimed the links last night, to the B.B.C. were ALTERED/FAKED.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 09, 2014, 10:04:53 AM
The documents/files/posts are now with the police.
Which police?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 10:28:12 AM
You claimed the links last night, to the B.B.C. were ALTERED/FAKED.
As to being a troll brietta.
Look in your nearest mirror.
I have already told you ... I had sight of the official BBC site ... prior to the addition of the text by person or persons unknown. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
I followed the link earlier and I saw it before it had been 'got at'. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
The other one is the adulterated "snitch" you tube video ... that is not how the BBC have billed the programme. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
I have been quite specific in what I have posted and the manner in which the BBC title page has been altered ... you have chosen to use your usual deflection tactics to cause an unholy row over issues you know you are incompetent in.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 10:35:31 AM
I have already told you ... I had sight of the official BBC site ... prior to the addition of the text by person or persons unknown. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
I followed the link earlier and I saw it before it had been 'got at'. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
The other one is the adulterated "snitch" you tube video ... that is not how the BBC have billed the programme. http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?board=18.0
I have been quite specific in what I have posted and the manner in which the BBC title page has been altered ... you have chosen to use your usual deflection tactics to cause an unholy row over issues you know you are incompetent in.
They were never got at.
They were direct to the B.B.C.
As to the scraping of the barrel.
Yes, you do.
You haven't proved the B.B.C. links were altered.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 10:46:13 AM
Why do people always take something which is intrinsically good and corrupt it ... probably for the simple reason they can.
Social media is powerful - McCann
The father of Madeleine McCann said social media is "powerful" and should be used to "improve the world" as he backed a national alert system to help find missing children.
Gerry and Kate McCann, whose three-year-old daughter disappeared during a family holiday to Portugal in 2007, joined the parents of murdered schoolgirl April Jones to raise funds for the Child Rescue Alert with the charity Missing People.
It comes after an inquest was opened yesterday into the death of Brenda Leyland, whose body was found in a hotel room two days after she featured in a Sky News report exposing internet "trolling" of the McCanns.
Mr McCann declined to comment but said social media was an important tool for the Child Rescue Alert, a UK-wide system which uses email, text messages and websites including Twitter to try to secure the safe return of missing children.
Speaking at the Mondrian hotel in central London, Mr McCann said: "The key thing about social media is it's powerful. This is a way of using it to do good. That's what we should be using these powerful technologies for - to try and improve the world.
Asked whether they felt it was right for the media to identify internet trolls, Mr McCann replied: "I don't really want to talk about trolls, we're here very much to talk about child rescue."
Coral and Paul Jones called on Twitter and Facebook to do more to tackle internet trolls after they received "horrible" abuse online following the death of their five-year-old daughter who was kidnapped and murdered in October 2012.
Asked whether they had sympathy with Madeleine's parents who have previously voiced concerns about online abuse, Mrs Jones said: "We've had some ourselves and it took to going in the press and on the news to get it taken off.
"It is horrible, the people that do it."
Asked whether the police could do more to tackle online trolls, she replied: "It's the internet people as well because the police can't do everything."
Mr Jones said: "They should have their own policing force of some sort to do that, with legal ways to prosecute people."
Actor Hugh Grant, former newsreader Sir Trevor McDonald and presenter Fiona Phillips were among the guests at a dinner organised by Missing People to raise funds for the Child Rescue Alert.
Mrs Jones said she is still struggling to come to terms with her daughter's death.
Mark Bridger was given a whole life sentence after he was convicted of April's abduction and murder and of perverting the course of justice by unlawfully disposing, destroying or concealing her body.
April had been playing with friends close to her home on the Bryn Y Gog estate in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, when Bridger, a former slaughterhouse worker, enticed her into his car. Her body has never been found.
Following the recent two-year anniversary of her daughter's disappearance, Mrs Jones said: "I'm still struggling now to this day. We take each day as it comes. Everybody's different in how they cope. Me, personally, I take each day as it comes.
"Some days are better. My husband takes it different, my kids take it different."
Mr Jones added: "I have days where I'm absolutely fine. Two or three days on the trot. Then I have down days. I need to keep busy."
Mrs McCann said she believed the Child Rescue Alert could make "a huge difference" in finding missing children.
"You only have to look at the statistics to see how the amber alert in the USA has been successful - 685 children have been found alive and reunited with their families since it started," she said.
"I believe the Child Rescue Alert system could do the same here."
Mr McCann added: "I think it's an opportunity, the Child Rescue Alert, for the British public to help. In our case, there was a great outpouring of people wanting to help. It only takes one person coming forward, responding to that piece of media, that could save a child's life and nothing can be more important."
To sign up to the Child Rescue Alert, visit www.childrescuealert.org.uk.
you haven't proved your statement about death threats to amaral ..put up or take it back ..and stop lying stephen ..
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alice Purjorick on October 09, 2014, 11:01:40 AM
[quote removed]
If the dog hadn't stopped running he would have caught the hare. If the Titanic had radar it wouldn't have hit an iceberg and sunk. If wishes were horses beggars would ride. Anymore for anymore
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 11:45:34 AM
The individual circumstances which combine to make an archetypal troll must be very complex.
I think that while recognising that internet trolls have their own personal demons, the effects of what are criminal actions on the victims of their attentions cannot and should not be ignored.
Recent high profile prosecutions for this crime show that belatedly some action has had to be taken; the victims have spoken about the trauma and distress caused over a relatively short period; think of the seven years of organised hatred suffered by the McCann family.
The obsessive harassment of the McCann family is in a category of its own; it is well organised and condoned by the lack of prosecution.
We can only guess at the example that led Ms Leyland to the McCann’s home village … "When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to her home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour." http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5390.msg191485#msg191485
I suggest the person/s responsible for encouraging such a long standing obsession in a vulnerable individual are the ones who should be examining their consciences not the reporter who reported the facts.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Moderator on October 09, 2014, 12:20:16 PM
Posters are reminded to adhere to forum rules at all times.
This thread is currently being edited in order to remove any unacceptable comments. In this respect, members are encouraged to continue to report posts or comments which fall within this category.
MM
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carew on October 09, 2014, 12:53:20 PM
The individual circumstances which combine to make an archetypal troll must be very complex.
I think that while recognising that internet trolls have their own personal demons, the effects of what are criminal actions on the victims of their attentions cannot and should not be ignored.
Recent high profile prosecutions for this crime show that belatedly some action has had to be taken; the victims have spoken about the trauma and distress caused over a relatively short period; think of the seven years of organised hatred suffered by the McCann family.
The obsessive harassment of the McCann family is in a category of its own; it is well organised and condoned by the lack of prosecution.
We can only guess at the example that led Ms Leyland to the McCann’s home village … "When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to her home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour." http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=5390.msg191485#msg191485
I suggest the person/s responsible for encouraging such a long standing obsession in a vulnerable individual are the ones who should be examining their consciences not the reporter who reported the facts.
[/b]
What were the "criminal actions" of Brenda Leyland?
Which person/persons responsible for "encouraging such a long standing obsession" are you referring to............and why then was it the "vulnerable individual" instead who was the dossier compilers & reporter`s target?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 01:25:30 PM
What were the "criminal actions" of Brenda Leyland?
Which person/persons responsible for "encouraging such a long standing obsession" are you referring to............and why then was it the "vulnerable individual" instead who was the dossier compilers & reporter`s target?
We she hadn't been investigated by the police, and for obvious reasons cannot be charged.
More wishful thinking on behalf of some mccann supporters.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 09, 2014, 01:28:59 PM
What were the "criminal actions" of Brenda Leyland?
Which person/persons responsible for "encouraging such a long standing obsession" are you referring to............and why then was it the "vulnerable individual" instead who was the dossier compilers & reporter`s target?
Required reading to enable an better understanding of the law of the land.
Malicious Communications Act 1988 section 1 (This is the wording of this section as amended by Section 43 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. It applies to offences committed from the 11th May 2001 onwards)
Communications Act 2003 section 127 (Came into force 25th July 2003 replaced s43 Telecommunications Act 1984)
You tell me should cover both your queries.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 02:37:07 PM
Brenda Leyland what her neighbour said
A neighbour commented: "Deep down it must have hurt that he cut his mum out of his life. Whether that made her anti the McCanns, who seemed to have a very loving, supportive and happy family, we will never know. We were friends but grew apart because she was a one-way ticket. She could be quite nasty and was very controlling.
"When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to madeleine's home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour."
very odd behaviour indeed .. &%+((£
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 09, 2014, 02:40:06 PM
A brief reminder, yet again.
Brenda Leyland was not being investigated by the police.
She shouldn't have been making those 'unpleasant' tweets, and that applies to any person, either side of the divide.
She can't be charged posthumously.
However, that won't stop some people,and those who continue with the attacks in the media or elsewhere are trolls as much as they claim her to be.
Just leave her family in peace.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 02:43:37 PM
leave the parents of a missing child in peace ..double standards ...
It's absolutely astonishing that posters who have been persecuting the mccanns for 7 years are now asking for people to be left in peace...are they absolutely brain dead
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: lizzibif on October 09, 2014, 02:50:43 PM
It's absolutely astonishing that posters who have been persecuting the mccanns for 7 years are now asking for people to be left in peace...are they absolutely brain dead
yep they must be davel 8((()*/
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 09, 2014, 02:50:48 PM
no need to look it up...it means someone or something's to blame...that was the question put to you.
Who initiated the chain of events that led to her death ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 09, 2014, 06:05:43 PM
If Brenda had been proud of her "cyber-warrior" exploits and had had the encouragement and support of friends and family then she would probably still be here today. The question her fellow online sceptics must ask themselves is - why she felt it necessary to end her life (if that is indeed what happened) if she truly believed she was pursuing a just and noble cause such as "Justice 4 Maddie"?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carew on October 09, 2014, 06:09:41 PM
Required reading to enable an better understanding of the law of the land.
Malicious Communications Act 1988 section 1 (This is the wording of this section as amended by Section 43 Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. It applies to offences committed from the 11th May 2001 onwards)
Communications Act 2003 section 127 (Came into force 25th July 2003 replaced s43 Telecommunications Act 1984)
You tell me should cover both your queries.
Ah.....right........Required reading on the law of the land for whom?..........
For the authorities responsible for investigating what you feel were criminal acts by Ms Leyland and others over a number of years which were not being dealt with?
7 years worth, you reckon?...........
A dossier was compiled to serve as a reminder to the Police to shape up and do their job, in effect,...........since the twitter material was already available for them to access?
Dragging their heels, were they...........so let loose the press?
*tuts*...........Such lawless lynch-mobbery !
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 09, 2014, 06:18:37 PM
Martin Brunt, lawless lynchmobbery?
Interesting.
I don't recall such outraged howling when he was reporting on 100% DNA match to Madeleine from the Renault Scenic ...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carew on October 09, 2014, 06:21:46 PM
Since when has it been illegal to present the police with evidence of criminal behaviour?
It remains to be seen whether any "behaviour" presented in this dossier was considered criminal in the first place.....and such "evidence" was already on view to the Police ..........apparently for up to 7 years.
It also remains to be seen whether any means of acquiring or using dossier information was entirely lawful.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: carlymichelle on October 12, 2014, 01:00:31 AM
McCann troll Brenda Leyland driven to suicide by twitter death threats DEATH threats were allegedly sent to the woman found dead in a hotel just after she was publicly accused of trolling Kate and Gerry McCann over their missing child Madeleine. By: James Murray Published: Sun, October 12, 2014
Brenda Leyland McCann Twitter troll who committed suicide Ms Leyland was confronted by Sky News over McCann twitter abuse [REX]
In tragic irony, the hate messages directed at lonely divorcee Brenda Leyland were tweeted by someone who aggressively defended the McCanns on the internet.
The Sunday Express has passed on the five disgraceful messages to Leicestershire Police who are preparing a report for the coroner over the unexplained death of mother-of-two Ms Leyland, 63.
They were sent on Friday, October 3, from someone calling themselves Rainne and addressed directly to Ms Leyland’s Twitter account, @sweepyface.
The following day her body was found at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester where she had fled to after being identified as the sender of tweets expressing her views on the Madeleine mystery.
Today we can disclose some of the appalling comments sent to her. The first states: “Hoping you get beaten so bad you beg for mercy, only to have gasoline thrown on you and set ablaze.”
The next adds: “You have reached the end of your torturing campaign against the McCann family, understand.”
The third message is a direct threat against her life with the sadistic author stating: “Death is waiting and watching for u @sweepyface..Do you feel it????”
The next attack was so disgusting it is unsuitable for publication.
The last message states: “Sweepyface, we’re coming for you. Do you feel us?? The decent kind folk who pray for this family and their sad loss.You go to hell *****.” Related articles
'Trolls' sending messages of hate to Kate and Gerry McCann are probed by police McCann's Twitter troll found dead in hotel room Cause of death still not determined for woman accused of sending abuse to McCanns
Police are trying to establish the details of the sick pro-McCann troll, who may face prosecution, and discover whether Ms Leyland read the messages and if she discussed them with any family or friends prior to her death. A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “We are investigating the circumstances around the death. If any offences are disclosed, we will investigate appropriately.”
There is no suggestion that Kate and Gerry McCann or any members of their wider family know Ms Leyland’s troll.
Ms Leyland was confronted about her Twitter comments about the McCanns by Sky News, which revealed that Scotland Yard detectives on the Operation Grange squad were examining a so-called dossier of anti-McCann trolls.
She was not named in the report and crime reporter Martin Brunt did not say she lived at Burton Overy, a village just 15 miles from the McCanns’ home in Rothley, Leicestershire. However, her identity quickly became known.
After the report Gerry McCann told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. I think we probably need more people to be charged. We do not have any significant presence on social media or online and I’ve got grave concerns about our children as they grow up and start to access the internet.
“I’m glad to see the law around this area has been reviewed. We need to make examples of people who are causing damage.”
A friend of Ms Leyland said she “couldn’t live with herself” after being outed and feared going to jail.
I’ll really miss her, yes she was eccentric and opinionated but she was flamboyant and fun too
A neighbour
The neighbour, who had been due to accompany university-educated churchgoer Ms Leyland to a harvest festival the day after her death, said: “We never dreamed she was trolling the McCanns. That was very wrong.
“Brenda was a proud, very bright, articulate and upstanding lady and the thought of a prosecution and a prison sentence hanging over her would have devastated her. Sadly she couldn’t live with herself.
“I’ll really miss her, yes she was eccentric and opinionated but she was flamboyant and fun too.”
Today we can reveal fresh momentum in the investigation to find out what happened to Madeleine, who vanished from a holiday home in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007.
Scotland Yard detectives are due to fly to Portugal tomorrow for a meeting with Portuguese officers and possibly Ines Sequiera, the new prosecutor for the case, who is reported to be “utterly determined” to crack it.
They want their Portuguese counterparts to interview three of seven suspects for a second time and search their homes.
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell, responding to alleged online death threats against Brenda Leyland, said yesterday: “We will not be commenting. It is a matter for the coroner.”
A source close to Kate and Gerry said: “Abuse online seems to go in either direction but it has nothing to do with Kate and Gerry. They do not encourage or condone anything online. People seem to say anything they want.”
McCann troll Brenda Leyland driven to suicide by twitter death threats DEATH threats were allegedly sent to the woman found dead in a hotel just after she was publicly accused of trolling Kate and Gerry McCann over their missing child Madeleine. By: James Murray Published: Sun, October 12, 2014
Brenda Leyland McCann Twitter troll who committed suicide Ms Leyland was confronted by Sky News over McCann twitter abuse [REX]
In tragic irony, the hate messages directed at lonely divorcee Brenda Leyland were tweeted by someone who aggressively defended the McCanns on the internet.
The Sunday Express has passed on the five disgraceful messages to Leicestershire Police who are preparing a report for the coroner over the unexplained death of mother-of-two Ms Leyland, 63.
They were sent on Friday, October 3, from someone calling themselves Rainne and addressed directly to Ms Leyland’s Twitter account, @sweepyface.
The following day her body was found at the Marriott Hotel in Leicester where she had fled to after being identified as the sender of tweets expressing her views on the Madeleine mystery.
Today we can disclose some of the appalling comments sent to her. The first states: “Hoping you get beaten so bad you beg for mercy, only to have gasoline thrown on you and set ablaze.”
The next adds: “You have reached the end of your torturing campaign against the McCann family, understand.”
The third message is a direct threat against her life with the sadistic author stating: “Death is waiting and watching for u @sweepyface..Do you feel it????”
The next attack was so disgusting it is unsuitable for publication.
The last message states: “Sweepyface, we’re coming for you. Do you feel us?? The decent kind folk who pray for this family and their sad loss.You go to hell *****.” Related articles
'Trolls' sending messages of hate to Kate and Gerry McCann are probed by police McCann's Twitter troll found dead in hotel room Cause of death still not determined for woman accused of sending abuse to McCanns
Police are trying to establish the details of the sick pro-McCann troll, who may face prosecution, and discover whether Ms Leyland read the messages and if she discussed them with any family or friends prior to her death. A spokesman for Leicestershire Police said: “We are investigating the circumstances around the death. If any offences are disclosed, we will investigate appropriately.”
There is no suggestion that Kate and Gerry McCann or any members of their wider family know Ms Leyland’s troll.
Ms Leyland was confronted about her Twitter comments about the McCanns by Sky News, which revealed that Scotland Yard detectives on the Operation Grange squad were examining a so-called dossier of anti-McCann trolls.
She was not named in the report and crime reporter Martin Brunt did not say she lived at Burton Overy, a village just 15 miles from the McCanns’ home in Rothley, Leicestershire. However, her identity quickly became known.
After the report Gerry McCann told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Clearly something needs to be done about the abuse on the internet. I think we probably need more people to be charged. We do not have any significant presence on social media or online and I’ve got grave concerns about our children as they grow up and start to access the internet.
“I’m glad to see the law around this area has been reviewed. We need to make examples of people who are causing damage.”
A friend of Ms Leyland said she “couldn’t live with herself” after being outed and feared going to jail.
I’ll really miss her, yes she was eccentric and opinionated but she was flamboyant and fun too
A neighbour
The neighbour, who had been due to accompany university-educated churchgoer Ms Leyland to a harvest festival the day after her death, said: “We never dreamed she was trolling the McCanns. That was very wrong.
“Brenda was a proud, very bright, articulate and upstanding lady and the thought of a prosecution and a prison sentence hanging over her would have devastated her. Sadly she couldn’t live with herself.
“I’ll really miss her, yes she was eccentric and opinionated but she was flamboyant and fun too.”
Today we can reveal fresh momentum in the investigation to find out what happened to Madeleine, who vanished from a holiday home in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007.
Scotland Yard detectives are due to fly to Portugal tomorrow for a meeting with Portuguese officers and possibly Ines Sequiera, the new prosecutor for the case, who is reported to be “utterly determined” to crack it.
They want their Portuguese counterparts to interview three of seven suspects for a second time and search their homes.
McCann family spokesman Clarence Mitchell, responding to alleged online death threats against Brenda Leyland, said yesterday: “We will not be commenting. It is a matter for the coroner.”
A source close to Kate and Gerry said: “Abuse online seems to go in either direction but it has nothing to do with Kate and Gerry. They do not encourage or condone anything online. People seem to say anything they want.”
At last people out there can now see the 'nature' of some of the mccann supporters.
IT WON'T BE THE LAST. 8(0(*
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 12, 2014, 07:40:14 AM
....AND IT'S ABOUT BLOODY TIME THE MCCANNS CONDONED THEIR FEW NASTY, VINDICTIVE SUPPORTERS.
Long overdue.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 12, 2014, 08:27:00 AM
Rainne … whose twitter account has been suspended … is just a very ordinary troll who over the past few years has spewed out racist bile and hate whenever possible … as trolls do.
A real nasty piece of work ... as trolls are.
S/he saw a bandwagon and jumped on … as trolls do.
The most recent shocking posts she made regarding an individual are just par for the course and are the only (mccann) ones on her twitter account … just a common garden troll … not a “McCann” troll.
As s/he says ...
Rainne @dirndllass
just to update.this,twitter,is where i come to cuss and spit.it isnt intended for ANY other purpose.so IF you dont LIKE my posts,F@ off.
8:49 am - 31 Jul 2014
You will need to produce something more concrete than Rainne - the universal troll - to start hyperventilating about … just another troll … a lot of them around.
Give you a clue where to find hundreds ... the mccann hash tag.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 12, 2014, 08:29:22 AM
Oh dear...what a can of worms has been opened now. Stand by to see Rainne unmasked and then who?
www.pinterest.com/dirndllass/
Oh dear, exactly. Not the best researched article (but this is the Express).
"Rainne" was / is, according to her twitter profile, a female life coach based in Hawaii. Her posts to @sweepyface on the 3rd October seem to be her first posts with anything to do with the McCann case or Sweepyface.
They were absolutely disgusting - but she is an equal opportunities abusive troll. She over the past couple of years directed very similiar foul mouthed tweets to US politicians, various celebrities, blacks, muslims, and has a particular dislike of mormons for some reason.
If the authorities actually want to track her down, her twitter account had some helpful selfies of her in various locations, and quite a lot of detail.
There is no reason to suggest she is a supporter of the McCanns.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Wonderfulspam on October 12, 2014, 08:39:11 AM
Oh dear, exactly. Not the best researched article (but this is the Express).
"Rainne" was / is, according to her twitter profile, a female life coach based in Hawaii. Her posts to @sweepyface on the 3rd October seem to be her first posts with anything to do with the McCann case or Sweepyface.
They were absolutely disgusting - but she is an equal opportunities abusive troll. She over the past couple of years directed very similiar foul mouthed tweets to US politicians, various celebrities, blacks, muslims, and has a particular dislike of mormons for some reason.
If the authorities actually want to track her down, her twitter account had some helpful selfies of her in various locations, and quite a lot of detail.
There is no reason to suggest she is a supporter of the McCanns.
Her messages were in support of the McCanns.
Ergo, she is a supporter of the McCanns.
Which part of that don't you understand?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 12, 2014, 08:54:06 AM
Rainne is / was not in support of anything. Just a common or garden troll spouting bile at anything that caught her eye.
Do you have any evidence of her making any reference to the McCanns before the 3rd October?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 12, 2014, 09:51:20 AM
I find the majority of her tweets to be grossly offensive, whatever the subject.
The broader debate seems to be where the limits to free speech should lie...
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 12, 2014, 08:25:22 PM
Just a thought.
If, and we do have BHH's word for it, it was the 'family' who handed in the dossier of abuse to the Met then the 'family' must also have been aware of the intimidation Brenda Leyland was subjected to for some months before her name was revealed on Sky. They, or their representatives must have been monitoring sceptics tweets in order to collate them and can't have failed to see the threats to post Brenda's address ect ( tweets which I have already posted earlier ).
The above being the case why didn't the 'family' try and stop their supporters using such tactics ?:
It's interesting that the McCanns are now trying to distance themselves from those very same supporters ( useful idiots ) though it was always obvious that when push came to shove they would throw anyone under the bus rather than sustain any 'damage' themselves.
That now, thanks to BHH, there is a direct link between the McCanns and the individuals who abused Brenda Leyland can't be denied. The only question now is what happens next ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 12, 2014, 08:29:40 PM
[BHH] must also have been aware of the intimidation Brenda Leyland was subjected to for some months before her name was revealed on Sky.
I'm not.
What intimidation?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 12, 2014, 08:33:17 PM
If, and we do have BHH's word for it, it was the 'family' who handed in the dossier of abuse to the Met then the 'family' must also have been aware of the intimidation Brenda Leyland was subjected to for some months before her name was revealed on Sky. They, or their representatives must have been monitoring sceptics tweets in order to collate them and can't have failed to see the threats to post Brenda's address ect ( tweets which I have already posted earlier ).
The above being the case why didn't the 'family' try and stop their supporters using such tactics ?:
It's interesting that the McCanns are now trying to distance themselves from those very same supporters ( useful idiots ) though it was always obvious that when push came to shove they would throw anyone under the bus rather than sustain any 'damage' themselves.
That now, thanks to BHH, there is a direct link between the McCanns and the individuals who abused Brenda Leyland can't be denied. The only question now is what happens next ?
nothing on the line you are suggesting....what you are saying is simply twisted speculation
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 12, 2014, 08:38:50 PM
nothing on the line you are suggesting....what you are saying is simply twisted speculation
The family handed the dossier over to the Met. The family or their representatives collated the dossier so must have been aware of the intimidation of Brenda Leyland.
It really isn't rocket science.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 12, 2014, 08:39:22 PM
The family handed the dossier in. The family or their representatives collated the dossier so must have been aware of the intimidation of Brenda Leyland.
It really isn't rocket science.
You are making a lot of assumptions...from what I have read Brenda Leyland was making a lot of abusive posts towards McCann supporters...don't try to make out she was some innocent..BHH also said they were investigating a murder so that rules out the stupid accident theory...putting the mccanns further in the clear
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 12, 2014, 08:43:41 PM
You are making a lot of assumptions...from what I have read Brenda Leyland was making a lot of abusive posts towards McCann supporters...don't try to make out she was some innocent..BHH also said they were investigating a murder so that rules out the stupid accident theory...putting the mccanns further in the clear
So where was she murdered?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 12, 2014, 09:00:12 PM
You are making a lot of assumptions...from what I have read Brenda Leyland was making a lot of abusive posts towards McCann supporters...don't try to make out she was some innocent..BHH also said they were investigating a murder so that rules out the stupid accident theory...putting the mccanns further in the clear
No assumptions, just logical extrapolations.
If you can show me one post from Brenda where she threatened to expose any supporter's real names, addresses or workplaces then you may have a point.
As to BHH comments I notice how warmly you discuss the McCann's innocence and how coldly their daughter's murder.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 12, 2014, 09:06:45 PM
Brenda's error was that she propagated a lie that the McCanns were somehow implicated in the disappearance of their daughter.
Called to book about those lies, she couldn't take the heat and exited in the most tragic way.
Desperately sad.
But there's really nothing to be done.
You need to be reminded of 2 crucial points.
1. The nature of the crime has yet to be determined.
2. The cause of Brenda's death has also to be determined, unless you know more than the coroner.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 12, 2014, 11:45:52 PM
It seems that Brenda was already in touch with the police about the threats she had received. I'm sure the coroner will be very interested in those.
That's the thing about threats, you can't simply expect to get way with them.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 13, 2014, 12:00:16 AM
Exposing troll was the right thing to do
I DO NOT buy into this idea that Twitter troll Brenda Leyland should have been ignored instead of exposed.
By: Camilla Tominey Published: Sun, October 12, 2014
There have been calls for Martin Brunt, the Sky News reporter who outed her, to be sacked after she was found dead in a hotel room two days later.
Talk about shooting the messenger.
Yes, Leyland was someone's mother, but so is Kate McCann, the woman she so mercilessly taunted online. Everyone on the receiving end of this kind of viral vomit is someone's daughter or someone's son. The solution is not for victims to simply grow a thicker skin.
Should Stella Creasy, the Labour MP who was threatened with rape for supporting a crusade to have women featured on the new £10 note, just have shrugged her shoulders and got on with it? Of course not.
Trolls like Leyland publish these online diatribes precisely because they have been able to get away with it for so long. Even Creasy said the police did not take the harassment seriously at first because it was happening online rather than in person. She was one of the lucky ones. Thanks in part to her high-profile position as a leading politician, her perpetrator, Peter Nunn, was jailed for 18 weeks last month.
However if the law cannot always bring these online offenders to justice then the task inevitably falls to journalists like Brunt. Some have criticised his decision to target Leyland because she did not actually threaten to kill the McCanns, unlike other trolls. But she did send thousands of hate tweets. Some days she would send more than 50 messages attacking the McCanns.
Had she hurled this abuse at the couple in the street, she would have been hauled off in handcuffs. Instead she continued to publish with impunity, safe from scrutiny at home in Burton Overy, just 15 miles from where the McCanns live in Leicestershire. Yes, these were the acts of an obsessed loner but "being an oddball" is not a defence to this sort of criminal behaviour.
Which brings us to Leyland's state of mind. As the inquest has not yet been carried out into her "non-suspicious" death, it would be wrong to pre-empt the coroner's verdict. But why has there been so much focus on Leyland's mental health and not the McCanns'? I cannot imagine they have been faring well psychologically since three-year-old Madeleine went missing in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.
There is an old adage that you should not dish it out if you cannot take it back.
We are all responsible for what we say, and that includes on social networking sites. What goes online, stays online. These words do not just disappear into the ether once you press "post", they are preserved for eternity.
A "Sack Martin Brunt" Facebook page has been set up in Leyland's memory which has already attracted more than 1,000 likes. While I feel sympathy for anyone who has lost a loved one, what are her supporters trying to achieve? Brunt was not trolling Leyland. All he did was reveal her identity. I hope he exposes as many others as possible.
Speaking after she was confronted, Leyland admitted: "I regret what I've done". She might have lived a lie but at least she died with the dignity of finally being honest with herself. Her death will not be in vain if it finally makes trolls think twice before tweeting, serving as a reminder that they are only ever a mouse click away from being unmasked.
I could not agree more ... over seven years targeting a family with a bombardment of hatred is insanity ... those responsible obviously are not going to give up on it voluntarily ... having far too much fun ... but it has to stop.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 13, 2014, 12:02:12 AM
I DO NOT buy into this idea that Twitter troll Brenda Leyland should have been ignored instead of exposed.
By: Camilla Tominey Published: Sun, October 12, 2014
There have been calls for Martin Brunt, the Sky News reporter who outed her, to be sacked after she was found dead in a hotel room two days later.
Talk about shooting the messenger.
Yes, Leyland was someone's mother, but so is Kate McCann, the woman she so mercilessly taunted online. Everyone on the receiving end of this kind of viral vomit is someone's daughter or someone's son. The solution is not for victims to simply grow a thicker skin.
Should Stella Creasy, the Labour MP who was threatened with rape for supporting a crusade to have women featured on the new £10 note, just have shrugged her shoulders and got on with it? Of course not.
Trolls like Leyland publish these online diatribes precisely because they have been able to get away with it for so long. Even Creasy said the police did not take the harassment seriously at first because it was happening online rather than in person. She was one of the lucky ones. Thanks in part to her high-profile position as a leading politician, her perpetrator, Peter Nunn, was jailed for 18 weeks last month.
However if the law cannot always bring these online offenders to justice then the task inevitably falls to journalists like Brunt. Some have criticised his decision to target Leyland because she did not actually threaten to kill the McCanns, unlike other trolls. But she did send thousands of hate tweets. Some days she would send more than 50 messages attacking the McCanns.
Had she hurled this abuse at the couple in the street, she would have been hauled off in handcuffs. Instead she continued to publish with impunity, safe from scrutiny at home in Burton Overy, just 15 miles from where the McCanns live in Leicestershire. Yes, these were the acts of an obsessed loner but "being an oddball" is not a defence to this sort of criminal behaviour.
Which brings us to Leyland's state of mind. As the inquest has not yet been carried out into her "non-suspicious" death, it would be wrong to pre-empt the coroner's verdict. But why has there been so much focus on Leyland's mental health and not the McCanns'? I cannot imagine they have been faring well psychologically since three-year-old Madeleine went missing in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.
There is an old adage that you should not dish it out if you cannot take it back.
We are all responsible for what we say, and that includes on social networking sites. What goes online, stays online. These words do not just disappear into the ether once you press "post", they are preserved for eternity.
A "Sack Martin Brunt" Facebook page has been set up in Leyland's memory which has already attracted more than 1,000 likes. While I feel sympathy for anyone who has lost a loved one, what are her supporters trying to achieve? Brunt was not trolling Leyland. All he did was reveal her identity. I hope he exposes as many others as possible.
Speaking after she was confronted, Leyland admitted: "I regret what I've done". She might have lived a lie but at least she died with the dignity of finally being honest with herself. Her death will not be in vain if it finally makes trolls think twice before tweeting, serving as a reminder that they are only ever a mouse click away from being unmasked.
I could not agree more ... over seven years targeting a family with a bombardment of hatred is insanity ... those responsible obviously are not going to give up on it voluntarily ... having far too much fun ... but it has to stop.
Don't you ever read what your compadres post ? @)(++(*
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: colombosstogey on October 13, 2014, 06:24:03 AM
If, and we do have BHH's word for it, it was the 'family' who handed in the dossier of abuse to the Met then the 'family' must also have been aware of the intimidation Brenda Leyland was subjected to for some months before her name was revealed on Sky. They, or their representatives must have been monitoring sceptics tweets in order to collate them and can't have failed to see the threats to post Brenda's address ect ( tweets which I have already posted earlier ).
The above being the case why didn't the 'family' try and stop their supporters using such tactics ?:
It's interesting that the McCanns are now trying to distance themselves from those very same supporters ( useful idiots ) though it was always obvious that when push came to shove they would throw anyone under the bus rather than sustain any 'damage' themselves.
That now, thanks to BHH, there is a direct link between the McCanns and the individuals who abused Brenda Leyland can't be denied. The only question now is what happens next ?
Faithlilly, one of the most sensible posts i have read anywhere about the McCanns and their supporters.
You make a very valid point.
Isnt it a crime NOT TO REPORT a crime you are aware of? Isnt this classed as Misprision of Felony?
The crime of misprision still exists in England, but it has never been fully embraced in the United States.
I think what you wrote should be sent to the authorities and investigated IMHO. This is very serious if it is deemed to be the truth.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 13, 2014, 07:42:49 AM
I DO NOT buy into this idea that Twitter troll Brenda Leyland should have been ignored instead of exposed.
By: Camilla Tominey Published: Sun, October 12, 2014
There have been calls for Martin Brunt, the Sky News reporter who outed her, to be sacked after she was found dead in a hotel room two days later.
Talk about shooting the messenger.
Yes, Leyland was someone's mother, but so is Kate McCann, the woman she so mercilessly taunted online. Everyone on the receiving end of this kind of viral vomit is someone's daughter or someone's son. The solution is not for victims to simply grow a thicker skin.
Should Stella Creasy, the Labour MP who was threatened with rape for supporting a crusade to have women featured on the new £10 note, just have shrugged her shoulders and got on with it? Of course not.
Trolls like Leyland publish these online diatribes precisely because they have been able to get away with it for so long. Even Creasy said the police did not take the harassment seriously at first because it was happening online rather than in person. She was one of the lucky ones. Thanks in part to her high-profile position as a leading politician, her perpetrator, Peter Nunn, was jailed for 18 weeks last month.
However if the law cannot always bring these online offenders to justice then the task inevitably falls to journalists like Brunt. Some have criticised his decision to target Leyland because she did not actually threaten to kill the McCanns, unlike other trolls. But she did send thousands of hate tweets. Some days she would send more than 50 messages attacking the McCanns.
Had she hurled this abuse at the couple in the street, she would have been hauled off in handcuffs. Instead she continued to publish with impunity, safe from scrutiny at home in Burton Overy, just 15 miles from where the McCanns live in Leicestershire. Yes, these were the acts of an obsessed loner but "being an oddball" is not a defence to this sort of criminal behaviour.
Which brings us to Leyland's state of mind. As the inquest has not yet been carried out into her "non-suspicious" death, it would be wrong to pre-empt the coroner's verdict. But why has there been so much focus on Leyland's mental health and not the McCanns'? I cannot imagine they have been faring well psychologically since three-year-old Madeleine went missing in the Portuguese resort of Praia da Luz in 2007.
There is an old adage that you should not dish it out if you cannot take it back.
We are all responsible for what we say, and that includes on social networking sites. What goes online, stays online. These words do not just disappear into the ether once you press "post", they are preserved for eternity.
A "Sack Martin Brunt" Facebook page has been set up in Leyland's memory which has already attracted more than 1,000 likes. While I feel sympathy for anyone who has lost a loved one, what are her supporters trying to achieve? Brunt was not trolling Leyland. All he did was reveal her identity. I hope he exposes as many others as possible.
Speaking after she was confronted, Leyland admitted: "I regret what I've done". She might have lived a lie but at least she died with the dignity of finally being honest with herself. Her death will not be in vain if it finally makes trolls think twice before tweeting, serving as a reminder that they are only ever a mouse click away from being unmasked.
I could not agree more ... over seven years targeting a family with a bombardment of hatred is insanity ... those responsible obviously are not going to give up on it voluntarily ... having far too much fun ... but it has to stop.
Excellent post post. We must not forget what Brenda Leyland was doing. 50 posts a day....many of them filled with bile...those doing this must be brought to justice
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 13, 2014, 08:01:59 AM
Excellent post post. We must not forget what Brenda Leyland was doing. 50 posts a day....many of them filled with bile...those doing this must be brought to justice
Brenda of course can no longer answer for herself.
What she did was wrong.
What Sky News did was wrong, and Sky News lied.
She was not under investigation by the Police, let alone charged.
She was HOUNDED BY SKY NEWS, the very thing she was accused of doing to the mccanns.
her cause of death has yet to be established.
She cleanly had received threats herself, including I believe death threats.
It has never been a one way street in this case, as FINALLY REVEALED IN YESTERDAY'S PAPERS.
Abuse and threats have come from both sides.
The mccanns have condemned those who don't believe them, but NEVER CONDEMNED THE TROLLS WHO SUPPORT THEM.
FACT.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 13, 2014, 08:33:36 AM
Faithlilly, one of the most sensible posts i have read anywhere about the McCanns and their supporters.
You make a very valid point.
Isnt it a crime NOT TO REPORT a crime you are aware of? Isnt this classed as Misprision of Felony?
The crime of misprision still exists in England, but it has never been fully embraced in the United States.
I think what you wrote should be sent to the authorities and investigated IMHO. This is very serious if it is deemed to be the truth.
it seems from reading Faithlilly's and your post that you agree that crimes against the McCanns were being carried out against them and that it is a crime not to report a crime too - that therefore makes you both guilty as well doesn't it?!
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 13, 2014, 08:39:46 AM
it seems from reading Faithlilly's and your post that you agree that crimes against the McCanns were being carried out against them and that it is a crime not to report a crime too - that therefore makes you both guilty as well doesn't it?!
What crimes ?
and who has been charged ?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 13, 2014, 10:51:39 AM
it seems from reading Faithlilly's and your post that you agree that crimes against the McCanns were being carried out against them and that it is a crime not to report a crime too - that therefore makes you both guilty as well doesn't it?!
There is no requirement under UK to report a crime. (with the exception of certain money laundering and counter terrorism issues).
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 13, 2014, 11:01:01 AM
It seems that Brenda was already in touch with the police about the threats she had received. I'm sure the coroner will be very interested in those.
That's the thing about threats, you can't simply expect to get way with them.
[/b]
Apparently you can - as the 7 year long online hate campaign against the McCanns has proved. Hopefully that is about to change.
I thought Mrs Leyland received threats as a result of her exposure on Sky. If she had already closed her account would she have been able to view them? I ask because I know nothing about Twitter.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 13, 2014, 11:23:06 AM
Apparently you can - as the 7 year long online hate campaign against the McCanns has proved. Hopefully that is about to change.
I thought Mrs Leyland received threats as a result of her exposure on Sky. If she had already closed her account would she have been able to view them? I ask because I know nothing about Twitter.
Just another accusation made without any substantiation whatsoever.
We have seen that no cite can be provided to alleged “death threats” aimed at Dr Amaral as posted on this forum by Stephen.
The alleged “proof” of the supposed McCann supporting trolls (who are they alleged to be trolling anyway??) would appear to be "Rainne".
That some have opportunistically claimed that five? tweets from an ‘independent’ internet troll constitute a campaign which even touches the outrages carried out against the Drs McCann and now most certainly the twins for over seven years evidences a complete divorce from reality and common decency.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 13, 2014, 11:24:44 AM
Apparently you can - as the 7 year long online hate campaign against the McCanns has proved. Hopefully that is about to change.
I thought Mrs Leyland received threats as a result of her exposure on Sky. If she had already closed her account would she have been able to view them? I ask because I know nothing about Twitter.
Apparently Mrs Leyland had had to report several threats from supporters of the McCanns towards her to the police over the last six months.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 13, 2014, 11:32:41 AM
"It seems that Brenda was already in touch with the police about the threats she had received" - I am sure someone will provide some sort of reference for this. Anyone?
Brietta - Anyone who had actually bothered to look up "Rainne" and "drindllass" would have seen that she distributed her bile pretty evenly over anyone in the news. Politicians, celebrities, blacks, muslims, mormons etc etc. The fact that she is the postergirl for McCann supporting trolls does show the paucity of evidence of real ones.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 13, 2014, 11:33:25 AM
Just another accusation made without any substantiation whatsoever.
We have seen that no cite can be provided to alleged “death threats” aimed at Dr Amaral as posted on this forum by Stephen.
The alleged “proof” of the supposed McCann supporting trolls (who are they alleged to be trolling anyway??) would appear to be "Rainne".
That some have opportunistically claimed that five? tweets from an ‘independent’ internet troll constitute a campaign which even touches the outrages carried out against the Drs McCann and now most certainly the twins for over seven years evidences a complete divorce from reality and common decency.
I posted early last week tweets from McCann supporters threatening to 'out' Mrs Leyland as well as other abusive content. That you are in total denial about the campaign of intimidation that was waged against Brenda for months before her untimely death, a campaign that the McCanns must have been aware of if it was they, their family or representative who collated the dossier, is obvious.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 13, 2014, 11:38:30 AM
I posted early last week tweets from McCann supporters threatening to 'out' Mrs Leyland as well as other abusive content. That you are in total denial about the campaign of intimidation that was waged against Brenda for months before her untimely death, a campaign that the McCanns must have been aware of if it was they, their family or representative who collated the dossier, is obvious.
No doubt you can provide some examples of these tweets and the campaign of intimidation?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 13, 2014, 11:46:51 AM
No doubt you can provide some examples of these tweets and the campaign of intimidation?
444893355785584640|Sat Mar 15 17:50:16 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @Josephodriscoll I should have said she wruff! She only has doggies for companions &cruelly dresses them up like reindeer #McCann
444890597762289664|Sat Mar 15 17:39:18 +0000 2014|@alfibab3 @WAWinter1 @sweepyface It is her Jasmine so look at other tweets. #McCann
444890360167534592|Sat Mar 15 17:38:22 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface yes that Brenda is sweepyface & lives too close to the #McCann s for my comfort tbh. #McCann
444889758825975808|Sat Mar 15 17:35:58 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface here she is on some fb page:https://www.facebook.com/andrew.g.doe/posts/10153328825475510 #McCann. Take a look at the boxer!
444888250692669441|Sat Mar 15 17:29:59 +0000 2014|@WAWinter1 @alfibab3 @sweepyface ugh! She is one ugly Mama #McCann
1.@Diddybird51 @WAWinter1 @sweepyface <<<is Brenda Leyland who works at my very own Peterborough Health Trust! Who'da thunk it? #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 22:32:17 +0000 2014 2.@BroGeorgeMadman @WAWinter1 Because Brenda is very obviously @sweepyface. Tom. #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:18:14 +0000 2014 3.@WAWinter1 Oops, forget that @Sweepyface Brenda has closed her fb account this very evening...lol! Too late, we have her measure. #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:17:22 +0000 2014 4.@WAWinter1 Brenda has blocked me on facebook...says it all! #Mccann ‐Sat Mar 15 21:14:29 +0000 2014 5.@WAWinter1 @SafariSara @Josephodriscoll Is this her because she works at my own NHS Hospital Trust!!http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Brenda/Leyland #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 18:42:26 +0000 2014
6.@WAWinter1 @SafariSara @Josephodriscoll likely to do anything that Brenda Leyland of Leicester! #McCann ‐Sat Mar 15 18:16:11 +0000 2014
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 13, 2014, 11:56:39 AM
Thank you faith. Fair enough. I condemn ALL bullying on social media, and I am sure most others on here do as well.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 13, 2014, 11:59:59 AM
March the 15th. Pity she didn't stop then.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 13, 2014, 12:16:02 PM
I think we do have to consider that the animosity between the supporters and sceptics tends to ramp up the invective used, we see it on here. If it were possible to have sensible discussion then the language would be a lot more temperate.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 15, 2014, 03:25:49 PM
May I just say that this is all awful. Brenda Leyland did target The McCanns, but I doubt that she understood the legal implications. It's all about everyone saying what they think these days.
That she felt she had to take her own life alone in a hotel room is dreadfully sad. But she probably didn't want to taint the house that she will have left to her children.
This isn't all a game, and you can't say whatever you like. There will always be consequences.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 15, 2014, 03:29:18 PM
May I just say that this is all awful. Brenda Leyland did target The McCanns, but I doubt that she understood the legal implications. It's all about everyone saying what they think these days.
That she felt she had to take her own life alone in a hotel room is dreadfully sad. But she probably didn't want to taint the house that she will have left to her children.
This isn't all a game, and you can't say whatever you like. There will always be consequences.
Eleanor the cause of her death has yet to be established.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 15, 2014, 03:41:14 PM
I know that, Stephen. But I can't begin to imagine that she went to a hotel room to have a heart attack.
It was of course reported she hung herself.
Now if she had, it's a fair assumption the cause of death would be known, then again I presume the coroner would have to consider other possibilities in this case, due the circumstances, and I presume the threats she received in the days before her death.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 15, 2014, 04:15:36 PM
I'm sure we all (at least those of us interested in truth and justice for Madeleine and for her parents) would much have preferred that Brenda Leyland had followed in the footsteps of the admirable and estimable Bren Ryan, who realised she had been mistaken, held her hand up, admitted her mistake and went all out to atone.
Whether Brenda Leyland realised she had been mistaken, we may simply never know, but her brief exchange with Martin Brunt tends to suggest she may not have done.
Whatever the answer, the final outcome was tragic and what everyone least wanted to see.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 15, 2014, 04:20:55 PM
Now if she had, it's a fair assumption the cause of death would be known, then again I presume the coroner would have to consider other possibilities in this case, due the circumstances, and I presume the threats she received in the days before her death.
What threats were those? You are not referring to the ones by "Rainne" again, surely.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 15, 2014, 04:34:27 PM
Now if she had, it's a fair assumption the cause of death would be known, then again I presume the coroner would have to consider other possibilities in this case, due the circumstances, and I presume the threats she received in the days before her death.
It was a McCann Sceptic who said that Brenda had hung herself. Did anyone really need that? Least of all her sons.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 15, 2014, 04:45:23 PM
I read here and there that some people are outraged that anyone would send a dossier to the police. I find the reasoning to be justified.
The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing." http://news.sky.com/story/1345871/evil-trolls-in-hate-campaign-against-mccanns
It doesn't appear to have been done for any frivolous reason, but due to the nature and extent of the abuse.
Personally, I don't find Sweepyface to have been among the worst, but she certainly got caught up in it, including propagating what would appear to be unfounded speculation against at least one person.
I've just come across a post that she made on Facebook:
Gerry also disposed of a fridge that was within the apartment , he drove it to a refuse dump where is was crushed, the hire car had 1,000 unexplianed miles on it, Gerry washed the car inside and out before returning it. Kate washed most of Maddies clothes and her fluffy toy when most parents would have cherished the smell of the child, all this done while Maddie had just been reported missing. 14 October 2013 at 05:52 · 2
I find this so sad. If she genuinely believed that she was campaigning for "truth" and "justice", she was misled into believing myths. Who keeps these myths alive? And what is their responsibility in this sorry affair?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Jean-Pierre on October 15, 2014, 04:59:15 PM
I read here and there that some people are outraged that anyone would send a dossier to the police. I find the reasoning to be justified.
The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing." http://news.sky.com/story/1345871/evil-trolls-in-hate-campaign-against-mccanns
It doesn't appear to have been done for any frivolous reason, but due to the nature and extent of the abuse.
Personally, I don't find Sweepyface to have been among the worst, but she certainly got caught up in it, including propagating what would appear to be unfounded speculation against at least one person.
I've just come across a post that she made on Facebook:
Gerry also disposed of a fridge that was within the apartment , he drove it to a refuse dump where is was crushed, the hire car had 1,000 unexplianed miles on it, Gerry washed the car inside and out before returning it. Kate washed most of Maddies clothes and her fluffy toy when most parents would have cherished the smell of the child, all this done while Maddie had just been reported missing. 14 October 2013 at 05:52 · 2
I find this so sad. If she genuinely believed that she was campaigning for "truth" and "justice", she was misled into believing myths. Who keeps these myths alive? And what is their responsibility in this sorry affair?
I find it incredibly sad that a woman as educated and articulate as Ms Leyland believed that.
If she did, what chance others who are considerably less intelligent than she was not to fall for it hook, line and sinker.
The people who promote and propagate these myths should indeed take a measure of responsibility for her state of mind.
I agree that the people who compiled the dossier handed to the police did so because of true concern where this level of abuse was leading ... and as far as I am concerned the total disregard for the mental wellbeing of the twins who will see it sooner rather than later is just cause.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 15, 2014, 05:39:51 PM
What threats were those? You are not referring to the ones by "Rainne" again, surely.
Nope.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 15, 2014, 05:43:22 PM
I'm sorry to say but it is conceivable that Mrs Leyland DID know that she was propagating myths and lies, or at the very least knew that there was absolutely no actual evidence for her claims. I'm sure that goes for the majority of these "sceptics" who repeatedly make these sort of allegations online. What degree of this myth spreading is based on genuine held belief and what degree based on mischief-making and a desire to spread spiteful gossip?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: misty on October 15, 2014, 05:52:04 PM
I'm sorry to say but it is conceivable that Mrs Leyland DID know that she was propagating myths and lies, or at the very least knew that there was absolutely no actual evidence for her claims. I'm sure that goes for the majority of these "sceptics" who repeatedly make these sort of allegations online. What degree of this myth spreading is based on genuine held belief and what degree based on mischief-making and a desire to spread spiteful gossip?
It was no coincidence that one of the first people to offer Brenda's son her condolences on F/B, hours before the death was officially announced, was the "Blonde Bombshell who makes DVDs by her pool" - the same one who purports to get official news direct from the editor of CdM.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Eleanor on October 15, 2014, 05:54:55 PM
It is awfully difficult to believe that the people continually spreading myths didn't or don't know that they are myths. Perhaps they prefer to believe that the myths are true.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Benice on October 15, 2014, 06:00:23 PM
I read here and there that some people are outraged that anyone would send a dossier to the police. I find the reasoning to be justified.
The campaigner spearheading the appeal - who has asked to remain anonymous - told Sky News: "We're very worried that it's only going to take somebody to act out of some of these discussions, some of the threats that have been made, and we couldn't live with ourselves if that happened and we had done nothing." http://news.sky.com/story/1345871/evil-trolls-in-hate-campaign-against-mccanns
It doesn't appear to have been done for any frivolous reason, but due to the nature and extent of the abuse.
Personally, I don't find Sweepyface to have been among the worst, but she certainly got caught up in it, including propagating what would appear to be unfounded speculation against at least one person.
I've just come across a post that she made on Facebook:
Gerry also disposed of a fridge that was within the apartment , he drove it to a refuse dump where is was crushed, the hire car had 1,000 unexplianed miles on it, Gerry washed the car inside and out before returning it. Kate washed most of Maddies clothes and her fluffy toy when most parents would have cherished the smell of the child, all this done while Maddie had just been reported missing. 14 October 2013 at 05:52 · 2
I find this so sad. If she genuinely believed that she was campaigning for "truth" and "justice", she was misled into believing myths. Who keeps these myths alive? And what is their responsibility in this sorry affair?
I agree Carana. I have often wondered how many sceptics are sceptics because they actually do believe the lies and myths which are still regularly regurgitated on 'sceptics only' forums etc. - and which are allowed to stand uncorrected by those who know they are untrue but who prefer to look the other way.
Whether Mrs Leyland came into that category - I don't know.
At least on this forum both sides get to challenge anything which they believe is untrue.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 15, 2014, 06:36:25 PM
I agree Carana. I have often wondered how many sceptics are sceptics because they actually do believe the lies and myths which are still regularly regurgitated on 'sceptics only' forums etc. - and which are allowed to stand uncorrected by those who know they are untrue but who prefer to look the other way.
Whether Mrs Leyland came into that category - I don't know.
At least on this forum both sides get to challenge anything which they believe is untrue.
Yet you have no problems with stop the my###, or the equivalent, do you ?
and as to myths and trolling, they take some beating.
I.M.O. of course.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Montclair on October 15, 2014, 06:42:54 PM
Perhaps the title to this thread should be changed as we have no idea whether an investigation has been launched or not. As the tweets suggest, there were no threats, blackmail or racists taunts and they would not constitute a criminal offense. When BHH explained last week what constituted a cyber crime, one can see that at most the tweets done by Brenda Leyland would have to be taken to a civil court if someone had felt personally offended. He said that you can't expect the police to get involved when people insult each other.
We have almost come to the point where if anyone does not believe the McCanns and says so out loud or in the social media, they are considered criminals, [ censored word ] or mentally disturbed.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 15, 2014, 06:52:24 PM
Perhaps the title to this thread should be changed as we have no idea whether an investigation has been launched or not. As the tweets suggest, there were no threats, blackmail or racists taunts and they would not constitute a criminal offense. When BHH explained last week what constituted a cyber crime, one can see that at most the tweets done by Brenda Leyland would have to be taken to a civil court if someone had felt personally offended. He said that you can't expect the police to get involved when people insult each other.
We have almost come to the point where if anyone does not believe the McCanns and says so out loud or in the social media, they are considered criminals, [ censored word ] or mentally disturbed.
If you say you don't believe them then you are calling them liars..if you cannot prove it then that is libellous...
would you mind if thousands of people called you a liar
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: ferryman on October 15, 2014, 06:54:57 PM
Not just liars, but by implication also covering up the disappearance of their own child, which is even worse surely?
much worse...posters want to accuse them of murder, perverting the course of justice...fraud...and posters on here want us to think that's acceptable...I don't think it is... yet when Brenda Leyland admits to harassing the mccanns ...the same posters want to say she has been treated unfairly
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Carana on October 15, 2014, 07:26:09 PM
E.g. http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/madeleine-mccann-parents-attacked-by-internet-trolls/
and for comparisons sake...
You can choose to read or not read it. It isn't compulsory.
http://blacksmithbureau.blogspot.co.uk/
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Angelo222 on October 16, 2014, 04:16:55 PM
The vast majority of sweepyface's tweets were fairly innocuous to say the least. In fact the comment which Brunt and most of the national press used as their example could not be considered harassment by any stretch of the imagination. Sweepyface was singled out because somebody knew her address.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: stephen25000 on October 16, 2014, 04:20:02 PM
The vast majority of sweepyface's tweets were fairly innocuous to say the least. In fact the comment which Brunt and most of the national press used as their example could not be considered harassment by any stretch of the imagination. Sweepyface was singled out because somebody knew her address.
Precisely.
She was an easy target for those who 'obtained' her address details and the thing that calls itself a news service.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Angelo222 on October 16, 2014, 04:22:25 PM
She was an easy target for those who 'obtained' her address details and the thing that calls itself a news service.
Brunty has gone to ground. He hasn't tweeted since Brenda's death was discovered. Maybe they will send him out to report from Embola infected Africa for his sins? 8(8-))
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Alfred R Jones on October 16, 2014, 05:48:06 PM
The vast majority of sweepyface's tweets were fairly innocuous to say the least. In fact the comment which Brunt and most of the national press used as their example could not be considered harassment by any stretch of the imagination. Sweepyface was singled out because somebody knew her address.
Brenda actually believed the McCanns and / or their family were reading her tweets. She wrote her horrible messages hoping they would be read by the McCanns. She intended to cause them distress. She also targeted another twitter user believing her to be one of the witnesses in the case and, together with her (Sweepyface's posse of fellow abusers), threatened and abused and bullied this other twitter user. It's all on Greptweet for all to see. So please don't try and make out she was some sort of angel.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 16, 2014, 06:17:26 PM
If she committed suicide as is reported then she did it because she was ashamed of her tweets
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Mr Gray on October 16, 2014, 06:24:54 PM
Brunty has gone to ground. He hasn't tweeted since Brenda's death was discovered. Maybe they will send him out to report from Embola infected Africa for his sins? 8(8-))
Brunt has had to stop tweeting due to the rent a mob trolls who have attacked his account
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Anna on October 16, 2014, 06:36:54 PM
Brenda on her last day on twitter said something to the effect, of men in suits wanted her to stop. Do you think that she had been warned/advised to stop posting?
Then the strange post same day something along the lines of ..Come the man, come the hour, some have really sealed their fate. Strange.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: faithlilly on October 16, 2014, 06:40:33 PM
Brenda on her last day on twitter said something to the effect, of men in suits wanted her to stop. Do you think that she had been warned/advised to stop posting?
Then the strange post same day something along the lines of ..Come the man, come the hour, some have really sealed their fate. Strange.
Could you post the tweets Anna because I believe it was a gentleman blogger who wrote that and not Brenda.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: insider on October 16, 2014, 07:31:31 PM
Brenda actually believed the McCanns and / or their family were reading her tweets. She wrote her horrible messages hoping they would be read by the McCanns. She intended to cause them distress. She also targeted another twitter user believing her to be one of the witnesses in the case and, together with her (Sweepyface's posse of fellow abusers), threatened and abused and bullied this other twitter user. It's all on Greptweet for all to see. So please don't try and make out she was some sort of angel.
It is already known by SY that a witness in the disappearance of Madeleine has been using social media for some time. Can't say much more than that at the moment.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: Brietta on October 16, 2014, 08:10:17 PM
It is already known by SY that a witness in the disappearance of Madeleine has been using social media for some time. Can't say much more than that at the moment.
You've lost me just a little bit there.
Is it illegal for witnesses in Madeleine's case to use social media?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: slartibartfast on October 16, 2014, 08:11:59 PM
Is it illegal for witnesses in Madeleine's case to use social media?
Yes, if they are discussing the case. Destroys their credibility as their recollections may be modified. Same as if a group of witnesses got together to compare stories.
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 16, 2014, 08:14:01 PM
Brenda on her last day on twitter said something to the effect, of men in suits wanted her to stop. Do you think that she had been warned/advised to stop posting?
Then the strange post same day something along the lines of ..Come the man, come the hour, some have really sealed their fate. Strange.
The actual tweets...
516663733024985088|Mon Sep 29 19:00:07 +0000 2014|#mccann " Men in suits want me to stop " but not until I have told every body about their presence 516663117808676864|Mon Sep 29 18:57:41 +0000 2014|@1matthewwright1 #mccann In Die hard 4, when they baddies want to shut up computer geek, they don't let him sign off with flourish 516661916199309312|Mon Sep 29 18:52:54 +0000 2014|@1matthewwright1 #mccann Good point Bat man ! why would " men in suits " allow you to write about " men in suits " 1 last time
Are you sure she didn't borrow that quote from Richard Philips who was forced to closed down his blog which was highly critical of the new book by Summers and Swan?
Title: Re: Brenda Leyland found dead in a hotel room.
Post by: John on October 19, 2014, 10:59:48 PM
Exposed McCann troll was mired in loneliness
Illawarra Mercury By ELIZABETH GRICE Oct. 18, 2014
Brenda Leyland was found dead after being outed as an obsessive Twitter abuser of Kate and Gerry McCann, but her case confounds stereotypes.
A likeable, churchgoing woman of no obviously strong views, she seemed more interested in gardening, photography and quizzes than any solitary obsession with tweeting. She also had a passionate, innocuous leading role in the village's annual scarecrow competition.
Yet, hiding behind the alias @sweepyface, she insinuated that the McCanns were implicated in their three-year-old daughter's disappearance during a family holiday in Portugal in 2007 - a theme that had obsessed her for four years. According to the website BuzzFeed, she was sometimes posting more than 50 tweets a day, even on Christmas Eve, from 7am until midnight.
Mrs Leyland tweeted triumphantly at the height of her persecution: "You can move to France, anywhere, but social media is everywhere! Our memories are long, Maddie deserves it."
Her message seemed mild compared with some of the foul-mouthed stuff that has continued to rain down on the McCanns - but there was menace in it, too. Questioned by Sky News reporter Martin Brunt, she said she was "entitled" to tweet as she did - though her justification, without the protective cloak of anonymity, sounded far from confident.
Brunt, one of the most respected television reporters in the business, was invited into Mrs Leyland's house and spent time talking to her about her concerns over the McCann case off-camera. Inevitably, he has himself now become the victim of trolling, with a Facebook page set up under the title "Sack Martin Brunt".
What he could not have known when he approached her was the personal tragedy behind Mrs Leyland's confessed obsession. She was estranged from her eldest son, Daniel, and never spoke of him. Saturday, the day when her body was found in Leicester's Marriott hotel, was Daniel's 37th birthday.
A neighbour said: "Deep down it must have hurt that he cut his mum out of his life. Whether that made her anti the McCanns, who seemed to have a very loving, supportive and happy family, we will never know. We were friends but grew apart, she was a one-way ticket. She could be quite nasty and controlling.
"When Madeleine first went missing she used to go over to her home village all the time. She used to go to the local pub and the shops telling everyone what she thought about the family. It seemed very odd behaviour."
Mrs Leyland's younger son, Ben, 30, lives in Los Angeles where he works for a law firm. He posted a brief emotional tribute on Facebook saying: "I love you mum and I will miss you forever. I am love and I am light, thanks to you."
In the absence of the one person who seemed to value her, such village friendships as she had sound poor substitutes for meaningful family life. Mrs Leyland's mother died in 2004 and she had distant relations in Australia, but few in Britain, other than her estranged son. A friend described her as "lonely beyond belief".
A neighbour in Burton Overy whose son is a friend of Mrs Leyland's son, Ben, said: "I just can't understand why she would have posted those things. No-one in this village can. But then, for her to take her life is even more inexplicable. She just packed her bags and took off."
Another villager suggested the threat of being unmasked and prosecuted was overwhelming.
"She was a proud, very bright articulate and upstanding lady and the thought of a prison sentence hanging over her would have devastated her. Sadly, she couldn't live with herself."