Re: Mail: Internet troll who targeted McCanns found dead in hotel room

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:13 pm

And just to rub salt in the Leyland family wounds, Bennett has now shoved his oar in with yet another of his vexatious FOI demands.

Are they incapable of grasping that the ONLY people with any right to do any of this are the family of the deceased, the police or coroner? Bennett taking it upon himself to get involved, uninvited, is the last thing any grieving family needs.

Shameful exploitation and attention-seeking.

**Lamplighter** Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:37 pm

xxxxhttps://www.facebook.com/SackMartinBrunt

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:56 pm

Attention-seeking, hysterical fools. What are they going to do if it comes out at the public part of the inquest that Sweepy had been in direct contact with Brunt previously? As one or two of those who thought this was a put-up job noticed, she didn't react as one normally would on finding the Sky crime correspondent on one's doorstep.

They are also ignoring the fact that she then invited him into her home.

No-one knows what else was going on in her life, why she seems to have had no-one to turn to - not even her supposed 'friends' in the hate sector of the internet. No-one should be jumping to conclusions, seeking to boost their own ego, shoving their oars in, parading faux grief, attention-seeking or otherwise behaving in an utterly tasteless, thoughtless manner.

This is a matter for the police, the coroner, and most of all the Leyland family. Not a bunch of bandwagon-jumpers that were noticeable by their absence when they might have been of some use.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 3:59 pm

http://www.stopthemyths.info/viewtopic.php?f=115&t=7098&sid=0bebadd493ab87dccbd4f7b84040e91c&start=325

As said on Myths, Gamble makes an excellent point there - the police should have stepped in long ago to stop this tide of hate and abuse; especially as the hate campaign against the McCanns was organised and orchestrated.

**greenink211** Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:39 pm

bb1 wrote:http://www.stopthemyths.info/viewtopic.php?f=115&t=7098&sid=0bebadd493ab87dccbd4f7b84040e91c&start=325

As said on Myths, Gamble makes an excellent point there - the police should have stepped in long ago to stop this tide of hate and abuse; especially as the hate campaign against the McCanns was organised and orchestrated.

I am appalled that the Police have not stepped in sooner. Clear evidence of illegal activity and orchestration of abuse and harassment of the McCanns was passed to the police at least two years ago. Since then there has been a continued build up of clear evidence of illegal activity. Jim Gamble speaks for the vast majority of the population on this matter.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 4:55 pm

If they ever left hateworld and looked at what is being said in neutral parts of the internet, the haters would be in for a nasty shock, Greenink. The general public detests them and their internet lynch mob.

You know what one of the worst things is? If Kate McCann had been tipped over the edge by the endless barrage of abuse, threats and obscenities from them, they'd be high-fiving each other and dancing with glee at their 'success'.

They would do well to remember that the police will now be looking at Sweepy's computer, etc, which will lead into the wider investigation into this organised hate campaign.

Even better, would be for them to attempt to show a little respect, for once, and not make things even worse for the Leyland family by drawing attention to Sweepy's horrible tweets and FB posts - and especially not starting yet more vexatious FOI demands.

**lily** Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:10 pm

With a bit of luck that new FOI request might be the one to push it over the edge for Bennett.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:17 pm

Disgusting ghoul; it doesn't seem to occur to any of them that the ONLY people that have any right to issue demands are the surviving family. Neither is it occurring to any of them that Sweepy's friends and family are likely to be utterly horrified when they find out what she was doing on the internet. No, as usual, they just assume they are entitled to make this sad event all about them and their sicko crusade - as if they haven't done enough harm already!

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:31 pm

Anthony Bennett ‏@zampos 4h3 hours ago
@benleyland I just found out that your Mum said a nice thing about me on Twitter, I never knew about it so couldn't thank her #Condolences

Oh. My. God.

**lily** Mon Oct 06, 2014 6:43 pm

He does not know when to stop, does he? mad

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:39 pm

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/the-case-of-brenda-leyland-and-the-mccanns-is-a-thoroughly-modern-tale-of-internet-lawlessness-9778262.html

GRACE DENT

Monday 6 October 2014
The case of Brenda Leyland and the McCanns is a thoroughly modern tale of internet lawlessness
You can’t accuse a TV reporter of ‘hounding’ someone who is guilty of trolling

The circumstances around the death of Brenda Leyland, whose body was found in a Leicester hotel room this weekend, are all at once sad, complex, divisive and thoroughly modern.
Ms. Leyland, I cannot help but feel, is yet another victim of what I’ve termed “the internet wild west era” in which we’re living. The rules of civility are yet to be established. We’re naught but electronic guinea pigs. One man’s “troll” is another man’s prophet of truth. One woman’s systematic campaign of abuse is another woman’s brave battle to be heard.

Ms Leyland was doorstepped last week by Martin Brunt from Sky News over her alleged obsessive and relentless Twtter campaign to expose what she felt was “the truth” about Madeleine McCann’s parents Gerry and Kate.

A Twitter account by the handle @sweepyface had tweeted over 4,300 times supporting its firm - albeit incorrect - view that the McCanns are implicated nefariously in their daughter’s disappearance. The account’s contempt and anger for the McCanns was multi-faceted, inexhaustible, and at times breathtakingly unpleasant.

Mr Brunt took pains in his report to say that @sweepyface was not the worst offender. This I believe, as over many years I’ve noticed the anti-McCann conspiracy theory lobby to be some of the most furious, combative and unsettling message-propellers one might come across.

The McCann conspiracy theory is the perfect tinderbox for internet trolls. It involves a child’s disappearance, a possible paedophile bogeyman, a £2m fund with accusations of misuse, plus handily placed daft foreigners open to accusations of fecklessness and corruption. But more than this the McCann case appeals to firmly entrenched class war tensions that these evil middle class folk are able to pull strings or use their money or power to cover something up. I cannot remember blame and spite directed at Jamie Bulger’s mother or Sarah Payne’s grandparents alleging that it was flaws in their attention which had led to utter woe. In these cases, empathy and compassion were abundant.

Yet there is something about doctors eating patatas bravas within metres of sleeping children which drove Twitter accounts like @sweepyface to a bleak place. The @sweepyface account begged for attention endlessly - from like-minded people, from detractors, from journalists and from TV people. Matthew Wright received many tweets, Matin Brunt also – and with this in mind Brunt approached Ms Leyland to allot her just this - attention.

But, as I say, we’re in the wild west. While @sweepyface was desperate for exposure, Ms Leyland did not welcome it at all. While @sweepyface may have been in her element flinging around accusations, gossip and provoking ill-will, the real life Ms. Leyland met Mr Brunt’s request for a comment with a firm No and an attempt to disappear into her car.

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”.

There should be more help, support, understanding and escape routes offered to people living angrily behind keyboards. Their numbers are growing. In our ever web-dependent, fresh-air lacking, screen-chained world, we’re all more powerful, more superhuman behind our laptops in bed at midnight than we ever could be in real life.

And being an internet idiot, even just momentarily, is in all our sights. When we’re safely miles away from our target, we feel righteous, war-like, invincible and remorseless over our ability to wound. Ms. Leyland’s meeting with Mr Brunt was a reminder that when human beings propel anger electronically, the last thing they want is to be greeted with is a human face.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 8:49 pm

lily wrote:He does not know when to stop, does he?

It hasn't escaped notice that he's currently acting like a vulture spying fresh meat.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:09 pm

http://www.stopthemyths.info/viewtopic.php?f=115&t=7098&sid=b3a1182eb08c705a1d320e20297a9711&start=325

Jayelles:

And JFTR, I may hold Babalou & co personally responsible for inciting the hate posts and threats which are being directed at me just now. They are barking up the wrong tree!

Likewise Bennett.

All are being saved and will be forwarded to the police. I would also urge others to send screencaptures of any threats against this forum or the McCanns to Scotland Yard as well because if they are investigating a hate campaign against the McCanns (and indeed anyone who supports them), then they might welcome further evidence which might support their investigation.

**Pedro Silva** Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:15 pm

My friends, this was taken from Correio da Manhã newspaper:

http://www.cmjornal.xl.pt/mundo/detalhe/mulher_que_atacou_pais_de_madeleine_encontrada_morta.html

Woman that persecuted Maddie's parents, found dead.

Brenda Leyland said she wanted to see the McCanns "broken on the back of a bus or crushed by horses"

A woman accused of 'attacking' the parents of Madeleine McCann on the internet with excessive comments was found dead in a hotel, says the Mirror. Brenda Leyland had been reported recently for her comments by a TV channel and the police are now investigating her death.

Brenda Leyland was recently accused of having strongly criticized the disappearance of Madeleine McCann and the efforts made by the girl's parents to find their daughter. Among the various comments posted, reads "These two (Kate and Gerry McCann) can burn in hell" and "I hope they live in abject poverty."

This Sunday, a woman of 63 years was found dead in a hotel, after having made public the fact of having written dozens of comments against Madeleine's parents.

Police have found a woman's body lifeless in a hotel in Leicester and doubts have been raised as to how the body was found.

Brenda's death comes just days after it has given an interview to television channel Sky News. After news of the death of Brenda Leyland, her son reacted on social networks with the phrase "Mother, I love you and I miss you."

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:21 pm

Thank you, Pedro. I think CdM have, not for the first time, got one or two things wrong - I don't recall seeing tweets from Sweepy about the McCanns being broken by buses or crushed by horses; to the best of my knowledge, those came from other haters.

I hope the haters take note of that, though, next time they tout some tall tale from CartofMuck as The Truth and claim it's a quality paper.

**lily** Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:36 pm

bb1 wrote:
lily wrote:He does not know when to stop, does he?

It hasn't escaped notice that he's currently acting like a vulture spying fresh meat.

One day he will get his due for the incompetent obsessive meddling and subsequent pain he causes others.

**Lamplighter** Mon Oct 06, 2014 9:55 pm

Complaints to Ofcom over Sky News report on McCann ‘troll’
Regulator receives 60 complaints about reporter confronting woman over abusive tweets about McCann family

Tara Conlan
theguardian.com, Monday 6 October 2014 17.51 BST

The regulator Ofcom has received 60 complaints about Sky News’ report about the woman alleged to have tweeted abusive messages about the McCann family.

Brenda Leyland was found dead in a hotel room days after she appeared on Sky News as part of an investigation into internet “trolling” of the McCanns.

She was not named by the Sky News report but was interviewed by reporter Martin Brunt as someone who “uses Twitter to attack the parents of Madeleine McCann”.

Brunt and his team took 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 several newspaper reports.

Most of the complaints to Ofcom are understood to have been made in the last couple of days, rather than in the immediate aftermath of Brunt’s report on 2 October.

An Ofcom spokesman said: “It’s important to stress that we’ve not reached a view as to whether an investigation will take place.”

Meanwhile on a Facebook page called Sack Martin Brunt, a petition has been launched calling on prime minister David Cameron to “launch a public inquiry” into what it claims is “trial by television” had gained 325 signatures.

• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly “for publication”.

• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:05 pm

Sixty? I thought there were hundreds, from the carry-on they are having.

And what are they going to do if it turns out that Sky acted perfectly correctly, and that there had been some kind of prior contact? Apparently, Laffinarse has been claiming they phoned him wanting an interview, but he declined. Whether they did, or whether that's yet more Laffinarse nonsense, I have no idea; suffice to say he would doubtless have greeted Brunt still clutching his breakfast beer, as he did with the Star.

If they have the slightest genuine respect for Sweepy or her family, they really should zip it until more is known about exactly what happened.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:13 pm

Brunt and his team took 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 several newspaper reports.

The first time I saw her name was in a tweet by one of her fellow-haters, well before the newspapers named her; it had nothing to do with Brunt.

**lily** Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:35 pm

Precisely so, Bonny. We saw that too.

**bb1** Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:45 pm

Why on earth do so many people think Myths has vanished, or something? Has no-one told them it moved to a new site with a different url?

http://www.stopthemyths.info/index.php

**Pedro Silva** Mon Oct 06, 2014 10:56 pm

you welcome bb1.

**lily** Mon Oct 06, 2014 11:01 pm

bb1 wrote:Why on earth do so many people think Myths has vanished, or something? Has no-one told them it moved to a new site with a different url?

http://www.stopthemyths.info/index.php

As usual, they only see what they want to?

**Pedro Silva** Tue Oct 07, 2014 9:40 am

My friends, this was taken fro Observador (Brazil) newspaper:

http://observador.pt/2014/10/06/mulher-que-ameacava-pais-de-maddie-twitter-encontrada-morta/

Found dead the woman who threatened the parents of Maddie on Twitter

Woman known on Twitter bysweepyface was found dead in a hotel, after a journalist to be confronted with accusations of virtual persecution to the parents of Maddie McCann.

A woman of 63 years, accused of persecuting the parents of Madeleine McCann on the internet, was found dead in a hotel room in Leicester, England.

The woman, identified as Brenda Leyland, but best known for sweepyface, the name she used on Twitter, was found dead this weekend, just days after being identified by a journalist from Sky News as the woman who threatened the couple McCann on the internet.

According to the British press, Brenda Leyland was confronted last week by journalist Martin Brunt, Sky News, on suspicions that it had been systematically resorting to Twitter to publish comments against Kate and Gerry McCann, parents of Maddie, who disappeared in Praia da Luz in the Algarve in May 2007 According to the Guardian, the woman will have left home after the conversation with the journalist, having been seen by neighbors for the last time on Thursday.

There seems, however, according to police who are investigating the case, no evidence of crime. The hypothesis of suicide seems the most likely.

On Wednesday, the television channel Sky News broadcast a report on the case, accusing Brenda Leyland to be one of dozens of people who have been starring in online attacks to the parents of Maddie McCann. Given the approach of the journalist Martin Brunt, the woman was initially reluctant to explain their motivations, but just ended up saying that he had "the right" to express their opinions. And when she was told that a body of evidence had come to the police, she once said "it's fair".

The woman then invited the reporter to her home and, with the cameras off, have explained that merely express her views on the Internet because it "had questions for the McCanns." Still, she said she hoped "that had not broken the law."

A neighbor of Brenda, who wanted to remain anonymous, also told local newspaper Leicester Mercury that "someone took a picture of Brenda Leyland on Thursday afternoon, and then never saw her again." Others added that they feared for her safety after apparently fled by the time the report was aired.

According to the spokesman of the Leicester police, the authorities were "calls to 13h42 to Saturday, October 4, due to the body of a woman who had been found in a hotel room in Smith Way, Grove Park". Police were on site but death "is not being treated as suspicious.", there is apparently no evidence of crime.

**bb1** Tue Oct 07, 2014 12:01 pm

Thank you, Pedro.

In passing, I cannot understand why those haters proudly posting links to the deceased' tweets imagine they are 'helping'. Have they actually bothered to read them all? The foul language, the insane allegations, the gloating writer imagining they have scared a young woman? Inventing nasty stories about the McCann family?

They surely don't think this is painting a good picture of the deceased, do they? They really should take a look around neutral parts of the internet and see what the disinterested general public is saying about all this - though they won't like what they read about themselves.

Sponsored content