Man faces British court over 'Facebook threats to kill 200 in US'

A British man who allegedly posted on Facebook threats to kill 200 people in America appeared before a crown court judge today.

Reece Elliott, 24, from Fossway, South Shields, South Tyneside, faced five charges of making threats to kill and nine charges under the Communications Act.

No pleas were entered and the case was adjourned for a week.

Elliott, with shoulder-length curly hair, appeared via a videolink from Durham Prison where he is being held on remand.

He was arrested in February after posts were made on a Facebook tribute page for a Tennessee girl who died in a car accident.

The day after the comments were made, 3,000 children did not attend classes in Warren County and security was beefed up at local schools.

Elliott has been held in custody since his arrest and made his first court appearance in February.

Judge James Goss, the Recorder of Newcastle, ordered that Elliott must attend in person next week.

PA