PROPOSALS to introduce new laws meaning internet trolls will face up to two years in jail have been welcomed in East Lancashire.

The previous maximum term of six months will be quadrupled under the plan to tackle the ‘cowards’ who post abusive comments online.

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Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, said it was ‘about time’ punishments were tougher for those found to subject their victims to sexually offensive, verbally abusive or threatening material online.

There have been several high profile cases of ‘trolling’ in East Lancashire.

Blackburn Rovers legend Colin Hendry was sent a sick message on Twitter which said: “Remember when Colin Hendry’s wife snuffed it? Great times.”

He responded by saying: “This is the vile world we live in.”

A police investigation was also launched recently at Woodhey High School, in Ramsbottom, over claims a student there had been sending ‘offensive and abusive messages’ to fellow pupils’ Facebook accounts.

Pupils have been advised to check their privacy settings to ensure people who are not friends cannot send them messages.

The new powers, which were put forward by justice secretary Chris Grayling, will see magistrates pass on serious cases to the crown courts, where offenders would face a maximum of two years behind bars.

The change will be made as an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill currently going through Parliament.

Mr Stephenson, who has more than 8,700 followers on Twitter, said: “This is a welcome reform and it is about time it was made.

“More and more crime is taking place online and if you speak to young people, they will tell you that an awful lot of bullying takes place online.

“We have had cases of young people committing suicide because of internet trolls and so this is a very serious issue.

“I have experienced bits and bobs of cyber bullying, but nothing in the context of what others have.

“All public figures experience it, but I just blocked the people sending the messages rather than responding.

“I have come across many people who have had outrageous and deeply personal things said about them and it causes them issues in their every-day life.”