Joe McElderry speaks of relief at conviction of Twitter troll

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A man who abused and harassed X Factor winner Joe McElderry has been fined and given a restraining order.

Ennis McBride, 53, from Stockport, was found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court after the gay pop star and members of his family gave evidence during the trial.

Sky News reports the 53-year-old set up a Twitter account called @mcelderrytruth, on which he called the singer a “vile hypocrite” and compared him with late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

In September of last year, McBride knocked on McElderry’s front door while he was having a bath. A friend answered the door and said he was unavailable.

McBride then went round to the singer’s former home and accused the pop star of being a liar to his mother.

Describing the incident, McElderry said: “I was feeling quite shaken and confused, and a bit creeped out. My mum sounded very alarmed and distressed and told me to lock the doors.”

McBride was fined £1,000 and ordered to abide by a five-year restraining order imposed by the court after being convicted of two counts of harassment

After sentencing was passed McElderry said: “I’m glad this is all over. We just want to draw a line under this all now.”

Earlier this month, McElderry told PinkNews.co.uk that he remains a fan of Twitter despite sometimes receiving abuse from trolls.

 

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