A teenager who posted a racist tweet about World Cup commentator Eni Aluko was snared in a nationwide crackdown on social media abuse during the tournament.
The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suggested that the former England and Chelsea footballer had been brought “back from the jungle” by co-presenter and I’m A Celebrity winner Jill Scott.
The Inverurie boy also posted an orangutan emoji to accompany the tweet.
The sports stars were speaking from the sidelines during England’s quarter-final clash with France when the schoolboy – who was 16 at the time – made the grossly offensive remark, Aberdeen Sheriff Court was told.
Tweet noticed despite small following
But his offensive tweet was quickly picked up as part of an anti-racism crackdown being run by the Football Association in England and Wales.
Fiscal depute Ryan Diamond said the tweet was posted on December 10 last year.
“Two of the presenting team pitch side were former women’s England players Jill Scott and Eni Aluko,” he said.
“Jill Scott had recently returned from Australia where she had won I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here.
“Jill Scott is a white female and Eni Aluko is a black female.”
Featured orangutan emoji
The school pupil’s post read: “Jill Scott brought a souvenir back from the jungle. Ugly b******”.
Those words were followed by an orangutan emoji and a photo of the two women taken while they were on the television.
The boy was traced at home the following month and he allowed officers access to his mobile phone and Twitter account before being cautioned and charged.
He admitted sharing a grossly offensive racist comment online.
Defence agent Ross Taggart said the pupil fears the conviction may scupper his dream of joining the Royal Navy.
‘That joke was, of course, racist’
“This was an unfortunate joke that was put on Twitter,” the solicitor said. “He was with a number of his friends and they had partaken some lager during the game.
“He got it into his head that it was a joke. That joke was, of course, racist because it involved a suggestion that Jill Scott, who had won the television programme I’m a Celebrity, had returned from the jungle in Australia and had taken home with her the black woman from the jungle.”
Mr Taggart said his young client “immediately regretted” the post, which he described as “a joke”.
He added: “He cannot explain why he did it, though. He had come up with a joke as far as he was concerned and the temptation to put it up was high.
“He only had four other followers on Twitter and they were all in the room at that time. They were all aware he was putting up the post.
“He is embarrassed and totally regrets this. It was a silly prank.”
Returned to court after reports
During the teen’s first appearance, Mr Taggart’s suggestion that an absolute discharge might be considered was immediately dismissed by Sheriff Phillip Mann, who warned the teenager that social media is not a place where he can act without consequences.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge, having considered those reports, said the teen “appeared to otherwise be living an entirely blameless life” and she was “sure he now realises the dangers of social media”.
She made no order and referred the case to the children’s panel to dispose of.
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