MAN SENTENCED FOR THREATENING TO RAPE CHILD IN LIVESTREAM
A man named Anthony Thompson has been convicted of serious offenses involving online threats and harmful messages.He uploaded a livestream video in which he directed abusive language against Staffordshire Police, accusing them of 'protecting criminals' and 'attacking the innocent.' During this video, he made vile threats, including stating his intention to rape a child and smearing their blood on the walls.
The court heard how Thompson, 36 years old, from Stoke, sent messages and videos that contained indecent and offensive content, including threatening to rape and murder a child.
The prosecutor, Jo Fox, outlined that Thompson had made multiple threats to harm the child, saying: 'Keep [them] away from me because I will f****** rape them if they ever comes looking for me.
Get the police, I don’t give a f*** about them either.' He also accused Staffordshire Police of misconduct, stating: 'I don’t give a f*** about police who protect criminals and attack the innocent, because that's what Staffordshire Police do.' The footage was only discovered after two years, once the victim became aware of it and reported it to the police.
Thompson pleaded guilty to sending a communication conveying an indecent and offensive message, and to other communications of an indecent and offensive nature.
His mitigation argued that Thompson had no intention of carrying out the threats and was trying to 'get back' at the victim out of feeling bullied, noting that he has mental health issues.
His defense stated that he has been homeless but was now in supported accommodation and seeking help for his mental health.
The magistrate, Anthony Wearing, sentenced Thompson to 36 weeks in jail and ordered him to pay a fine of £239.
A restraining order was also issued against the victim and her child.
The court emphasized the seriousness of the offenses, especially given the involvement of a young child, leading to an immediate custodial sentence.
