The UK will quadruple prison sentences for online abuse, trolls can get up to 2 years in jail

The issue of online trolling is never too far away from public debate, but the UK government is gearing up to tackle the problem head-on by quadrupling the maximum sentence for those convicted of online abuse.

The news comes hot on the heels of the well-publicized threats aimed at Judy Finnegan and her daughter on Twitter, after the TV presenter voiced a degree of support for a footballer who was set to be released from prison after serving two years for rape.

Now, as the Mail on Sunday reports, internet trolls who partake in vile abuse could receive anything up to two years behind bars as part of a renewed attempt to curb trolling.

“These internet trolls are cowards who are poisoning our national life,” said Justice Secretary Chris Grayling. “No one would permit such venom in person, so there should be no place for it on social media. That is why we are determined to quadruple the current six-month sentence.”

An amendment to facilitate this new law will be made to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill that is already going through Parliament.

➤ Crackdown on the cyber-mobs poisoning Britain [Daily Mail]

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