Tough new crackdown measures to target internet trolls could be introduced under new legislation proposed by the government.
The previous maximum term of six months will be quadrupled under the plan to tackle trolls who post abusive comments online.
Under the current law, people who subject their victims to sexually offensive, verbally abusive or threatening material on the internet can only be prosecuted in magistrates’ courts under the malicious communications act, which carries a maximum prison sentence of six months.
But the new measures will allow magistrates to pass on serious cases to the crown courts, where offenders would face a maximum of two years behind bars.
The change will be made as an amendment to the criminal justice and courts bill currently going through parliament.
They measures would also give the police more time to collect enough evidence to enable successful prosecutions to be brought.
Should internet trolls get two years in jail? Have your say http://t.co/vwOmipxVR1 #c4news pic.twitter.com/Tnl2M05k6h
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News NO THEY SHOULD GET A WARNING FIRST DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY SAY
— wizard guitar man (@GUITARWIZARD01) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News I do not think anyone would get 2 years but the threat might just stop some of them.
— David Ashby (@DbAshby) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News Noâ?¦absurd and ridiculous. Whatever happened to keeping things in proportion?
— Anne Greensmith (@snowleopardess) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News usually these are mentally disturbed / social inadequate people. prison is not the right place.
— Timothy Potter (@tpotter2890) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News I doubt they would ever get 2 years but it will put some off this activity
— David Ashby (@DbAshby) October 19, 2014
im going to jail. bye. @Channel4News
— responsibilities (@piss_wizard) October 19, 2014
@Channel4News The main word being ‘could’. Seeing as Burglars barely ever get 2 years, i highly doubt an internet troll will.
— One Police UK (@OnePoliceUK) October 19, 2014