Malicious tweeter in court over teacher messages

Robert Riley, from Port Talbot in South Wales, appeared before magistrates in Leeds yesterday when he admitted sending a message of a “grossly offensive, abusive or malicious character”.

Mrs Maguire, 61, died after she was stabbed in the classroom of Corpus Christi Catholic College in Halton Moor, Leeds, on Monday last week.

The messages were not read out in court, but magistrates heard some of them related to the murder of Mrs Maguire.

Magistrates were told that Riley needed to be sentenced where the messages were sent and agreed to transfer the case to Swansea Magistrates’ Court.

Riley, of Dan Y Coed, Cwmavon, Port Talbot, was given conditional bail. He left court saying nothing, with his grey tracksuit top pulled over his head.

Riley was given bail on condition that he does not use social networking sites between now and his appearance on Thursday.

His lawyer, Michael Walsh, said his client could be in more danger in a Leeds prison than he would be walking the streets.

Riley is the second person to be charged with the offence in the wake of Mrs Maguire’s death.

Jake Newsome, 21, from Harehills, Leeds, was released on bail after being charged for the alleged abuse, police said.

A 15-year-old boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, has been charged with Mrs Maguire’s murder.