Mum of murdered schoolgirl Paige Doherty hits out at vile internet trolls targeting family

Pamela Munro, whose daughter Paige Doherty was just 15 when she was brutally killed by a Clydebank shop owner, has told how she has been the subject of twisted online abuse - prompting the heartbroken mother to call for a change in the law.

Among the depraved messages sent to Pamela, 39, was one saying that her other children should “kill themselves” and another calling for them to “be murdered”.

Pamela, who has welcomed one-year-old Kailo into her family, is calling for tougher rules to stop trolls being able to torment innocent people from anonymous online social media accounts.

Paige was killed by twisted John Leathem in his deli in March 2016. The 4ft 8in teenager was stabbed repeatedly as she fought bravely for her life.

READ MORE: Family mark five year's since Clydebank teen's death

Pamela, also mum to Andrew, 16, Peyton, 11, Lucas, six, Penny, five, and two-year-old Malachai, said: “The messages my family receive on a regular basis are horrific.

"I’ve been told my kids are ugly, that they should be hit by a bus, that they deserve to die like Paige.

“Anytime I post an update on my daughter’s charity page, I receive a string of dreadful messages about myself or my children. The comments come from anonymous accounts and can’t be identified easily.

“As a family, we’ve been through so much since Paige was taken from us. I don't know why any right-thinking person would set out to try and cause hurt to people who have already been through so much.

"We just want the messages to stop, for good. I tell my kids to ignore them and rise above them, but of course they are young and what they read has a terrible impact.

“We’re a strong family and this won’t break us, but [it is] incredibly difficult to cope with.

“I want to see tougher new laws introduced to catch and punish the people who send abuse online.

“Right now, it’s far too easy to hide behind a computer screen and be unaccountable for what you write. It is about time something was done to introduce a proper deterrent.

"If people knew they were going to face the full weight of the law, they would think twice before hitting the send button."

Pamela says that she doesn't want to see any other families who have suffered tragedy or loss go through similar heartache at the hands of trolls.

She added: "Things have to change. There must be better ways of protecting victims of crime and holding these people to account - and punishing them when their identities are discovered.

“Social media companies themselves need to look at better ways of policing their platforms."

Russell Findlay MSP, Scottish Conservatives shadow community safety minister, is backing Pamela’s calls for tougher restrictions.  

He said: “Having lost their beloved daughter to murder, the family of Paige Doherty have been subjected to vile and relentless online abuse.

“No family should have to suffer such poison and I would urge Police Scotland to do whatever it can to identify those responsible and bring them to justice which would surely deter others. 

“These trolls are inadequate cowards who can easily hide their identities which is why the UK Government’s Online Safety Bill is so important as it will force social media companies to stop anonymous users from spreading hate.”

READ MORE: John Leathem wins appeal to have his 27-year jail sentence reduced

Monica Lennon, Labour MSP for Central Scotland, said the behaviour of cruel internet trolls can no longer go unchallenged. 

She said: “This is a welcome campaign by the Glasgow Times that the rest of Scotland should get behind.

“As society’s use of internet and digital technology increases unfortunately so too does abusive behaviour online - and this abuse must be stopped. 

“There are too many online trolls causing misery and grief, and I am beyond appalled that the mother of Paige Doherty has been victimised in this way.

“Those responsible are pathetic cowards and should be ashamed of themselves. This type of behaviour can have a serious impact on the intended victim’s mental l health, and it must not go unchallenged. 

“I fully support the Glasgow Times’ campaign for a crackdown on those who inflict so much distress on others.”

Pamela, from Bishopbriggs, says Paige would have doted on their family's newest arrival but insists her memory will live on through her charity’s continuing work. 

After burying her daughter and seeing her killer jailed for a minimum of 23 years, she is determined to help others who have been robbed of a child.

Pamela added: "Paige would have loved Kailo. She was such a caring girl and would have loved being a big sister and watching her siblings grow up, but we were all robbed of that by Leathem.

"We’ll make sure he grows up knowing just how special his big sister was."

The family's charity, Paige’s Promise, offers self-defence classes and bereavement breaks for families.

Pamela said: "We’ll also be organising more events later this year and I know this is something Paige would be so proud of. We miss her every day, that will never change. We just try and focus on the special time we had with her”.

A spokesperson from Police Scotland added: “If you become aware of anyone acting illegally or behaving in a threatening way online report it to police.”