This is the internet troll who made vile comments about tragic teenager Mzee Mohammed .
Rowan O’Connell, 23, was hit with a fine by magistrates today over the sick outbust following the death of Mzee, 18.
The “gentle giant” died after becoming unwell in the custody of police officers at Liverpool ONE in July.
O’Connell took to social media website Reddit, where he made baseless allegations, labelling Mzee a “good for nothing, spice smoking, Toxteth monkey”.
He added: “As I say, who gives a f***.”
O’Connell, of Back North Crescent in Lytham St Annes, Lancs, pleaded guilty to sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature at Sefton Magistrates’ Court today.
He was fined £275 and ordered to pay costs of £115.
O’Connell admitted “going trolling” during a discussion by Reddit users linked to an ECHO report about the incident on July 17 – under the anonymous account Rolfy 420.
David Maxwell, prosecuting, told the court the post was spotted by a police officer “conducting intelligence research”.
This is the internet troll who made vile comments about tragic teenager Mzee Mohammed .
Rowan O’Connell, 23, was hit with a fine by magistrates today over the sick outbust following the death of Mzee, 18.
The “gentle giant” died after becoming unwell in the custody of police officers at Liverpool ONE in July.
O’Connell admitted “going trolling” during a discussion by Reddit users linked to an ECHO report about the incident on July 17 – under the anonymous account Rolfy 420.
Nick Archer, defending, told the court that O’Connell experienced a strong backlash from the Reddit community which resulted in his employer’s Facebook page being flooded with derogatory posts.
This in turn led to O’Connell losing his job, although he has since managed to find other work.
Mr Archer said his client was not a racist and claimed the use of the word “monkey” was the sole reason the case had reached court.
He said: “In cases like this context is everything, and for lots of reasons his conduct is deeply regretted. The defendant does not consider himself a racist in any way.”