Brenda Leyland was believed to have posted abusive messages aimed at the parents of Madeleine McCann
Brenda Leyland was believed to have posted abusive messages aimed at the parents of Madeleine McCann
Leicestershire Police were called to a hotel in Smith Way, Grove Park, in Enderby, Leicester, on Saturday. A police spokeswoman said the death was not being treated as suspicious.
Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down at her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News, which reported that she was one of dozens of trolls targeting the McCanns on the internet.
On Wednesday the broadcaster’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt confronted the 63-year-old and quizzed her about her online activities, saying Mrs Leyland had posted dozens of messages attacking the family using the Twitter handle @sweepyface.
Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using her Twitter account to attack the McCanns, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire. “I’m entitled to do that,” Mrs Leyland replied.
Kate McCann and Gerry McCann (Getty Images)
When Mr Brunt told her that she had been reported to police, she replied: “That’s fair enough.”
Footage of the encounter aired on Thursday and the next day it was reported that Mrs Leyland had left the village.
A neighbour of Mrs Leyland, who did not want to be named, told the Leicester Mercury newspaper: “Somebody took a photo of her on Thursday afternoon and then she was gone. I haven’t seen her since.”
Another resident said: “While I wouldn’t condone what Brenda is accused of doing, I am worried for her safety now she has fled.”
Last week Mrs Leyland was tracked down at her home in Burton Overy, Leicestershire, by Sky News, which reported that she was one of dozens of trolls targeting the McCanns on the internet.
On Wednesday the broadcaster’s crime correspondent Martin Brunt confronted the 63-year-old and quizzed her about her online activities, saying Mrs Leyland had posted dozens of messages attacking the family using the Twitter handle @sweepyface.
Mr Brunt asked Mrs Leyland why she was using her Twitter account to attack the McCanns, who live in Rothley, Leicestershire. “I’m entitled to do that,” Mrs Leyland replied.
Kate McCann and Gerry McCann (Getty Images)When Mr Brunt told her that she had been reported to police, she replied: “That’s fair enough.”
Footage of the encounter aired on Thursday and the next day it was reported that Mrs Leyland had left the village.
A neighbour of Mrs Leyland, who did not want to be named, told the Leicester Mercury newspaper: “Somebody took a photo of her on Thursday afternoon and then she was gone. I haven’t seen her since.”
Another resident said: “While I wouldn’t condone what Brenda is accused of doing, I am worried for her safety now she has fled.”
No comments:
Post a Comment