five year old missing!!

[Tasha]

I'd phone the police too Beth, just to be on the safe side I think after what's happened to April the police will want to know of anything similar ...

I can't face the news today so not sure if anything's happened babyjan xx

Tasha, I couldn't believe what some people were saying to her. Teenagers having a go at her and saying things along the lines of "well I'm 11 and I have to be in by 18.30" or "I have to be in by 19.00 and even then I have to phone my dad and let him know when I leave my friend's house". I hate, hate, hate how people are being so judgemental. The little girl had been allowed to play out for a few minutes while her mum got food sorted after she'd had such a good report from the parent teacher evening (and wouldn't it have been her first proper one or am I mistaken? so that would have been a big thing for the family), this could have happened to anyone.

There was a whole lot worse than too. Ironic thing is eleven year olds shouldnt be on fb (fb rules not mine) because of the content on there. Not unheard of that fb has been used as a grooming tool. And that is the point, try as we might we cant be 100% sure this wont happen to our children, mine dont go out without me but who's to say someone wont snatch them in the shopping centre, the toilets, the soft play or at the moment our school is having building works done, despite me sending them to school where they should be safe that one of them could abduct one of my children. There are no certainies in this world and that is blimming scary.

The thing is even if she was playing out at 5pm, people would still judge, it would be 'Well why wasn't she in having her tea?'

That's what they do in these situations instead of blaming the individual that took her, they take the limelight off the reason why there are pages set up in the first place. Who cares what time she was out playing, there is a little defenseless child out there somewhere, possibly alone, scared and in pain, I can't think of the other alternative, and all people are worried about is who else to pin the blame on.

to her sister, I didn't see the page but I can imagine the grief she was getting

It is weird isnt it? Why focus the anger on the people who are going through hell, instead of the person that did it?

 

[mumoffive]

Sending your child out to play at 7pm is hardly a bad thing if it was a lovely night and still quite light esp since it wasnt that long ago it was the summer holidays and well my children were out..round the back garden though but then i wouldnt be happy personally to send my girl out as she is quite immature. Also, she had older siblings and lets face it she will have been quite used to being out and about and learnt from them. I think the mum may have judged her as quite a mature 5 year old.

 

[welshcowgirl]

Did anybody else watch the service on sky? Please dont read on if your upset easily. My intentions are not to upset anybody, just to see if im going mad.



As they where blessing aprils candle, i heard somebody giggle, but it was like in the mic yet distant. Im pretty sure it wasnt in the congrigation. X

 

[Samemka]

It doesn't matter now. Her parents and family will never get over this, whatever peoples thoughts are should be put aside based on the fact their daughter has been murdered. Given we was known to the family he could have done this at any time. Judging is uncecessary now.

 

[Samemka]

Did anybody else watch the service on sky? Please dont read on if your upset easily. My intentions are not to upset anybody, just to see if im going mad.



As they where blessing aprils candle, i heard somebody giggle, but it was like in the mic yet distant. Im pretty sure it wasnt in the congrigation. X

Could it have been a child?

 

[EmmyReece]

Did anybody else watch the service on sky? Please dont read on if your upset easily. My intentions are not to upset anybody, just to see if im going mad.



As they where blessing aprils candle, i heard somebody giggle, but it was like in the mic yet distant. Im pretty sure it wasnt in the congrigation. X

I haven't watched it, I couldn't bring myself to, just looking at the pictures will have to do ... but maybe the giggle was from a child or maybe someone outside going past the church?

It scares me because I know I haven't got children yet, but, I thought that this place was ideal to bring children up. And now this has happened (I know it could have happened anywhere), it's like it's taken away some of the innocence of the place

 

[welshcowgirl]

There probably is an explaination for it. Probably my mind playing tricks on me. I was going to rewind it and listen again but hubby turned it over while i was busy doing something. X

 

[loula85]

Did anybody else watch the service on sky? Please dont read on if your upset easily. My intentions are not to upset anybody, just to see if im going mad.



As they where blessing aprils candle, i heard somebody giggle, but it was like in the mic yet distant. Im pretty sure it wasnt in the congrigation. X

I haven't watched it, I couldn't bring myself to, just looking at the pictures will have to do ... but maybe the giggle was from a child or maybe someone outside going past the church?

It scares me because I know I haven't got children yet, but, I thought that this place was ideal to bring children up. And now this has happened (I know it could have happened anywhere), it's like it's taken away some of the innocence of the place

I live in a small village 3 miles out of Aberystwyth and this is exactly how I feel. We brought our house last year and chose it because the estate was with in walking distance of the park and school, and because the estate is off the main road it seems safe for children to play out. Your so right about the innocence of the area being taken. But the way the community has come together has really made me proud.

 

[Tasha]

Hope this sends out a message to others

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/troll-arrested-over-april-posting-1-5002096

 

[EmmyReece]

Hope this sends out a message to others

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/troll-arrested-over-april-posting-1-5002096

too right, too many people think they can hide behind their computer screens and get away with saying whatever they want, regardless of the consequences

 

[Foogirl]

Hope this sends out a message to others

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/troll-arrested-over-april-posting-1-5002096

Abhorrent though this action is, I'm very uncomfortable about it being considered illegal.

After all, who is to say something any of us say won't be seen as offensive to someone and we find ourselves arrested? When I read some of the McCann thread here, it could very easily be considered to be offensive. Even on this thread someone accused the McCanns. That could be seen as libelous and opens a person up to arrest surely?

The guy may be an ignorant prick, but I'm not sure that's against the law.

 

[Jade--x]

Hope this sends out a message to others

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/local/troll-arrested-over-april-posting-1-5002096

Abhorrent though this action is, I'm very uncomfortable about it being considered illegal.

After all, who is to say something any of us say won't be seen as offensive to someone and we find ourselves arrested? When I read some of the McCann thread here, it could very easily be considered to be offensive. Even on this thread someone accused the McCanns. That could be seen as libelous and opens a person up to arrest surely?

The guy may be an ignorant prick, but I'm not sure that's against the law.

I was just thinking something similar..They're taking away peoples right to free speech. I don't know what he put how offensive or upsetting it was or whether he put it on his personal account or an open page about her to cause upset as it didn't say, but what he's done is pathetic and mindless, it shouldn't be illegal. If it was said directly to the family of this girl then yes that should but there are people taking drugs, making people uncomfortable in their own home harrassing them, stalkers and people giving death threats that get zero punishment whatsoever and to me that is a lot more harmful that something on a computer that people don't need to read, they chose to, but that which should be a caution or formal warning means they're arrested?

 

[Jem_x3]

It's highly unlikely what he did will warrant a prison sentence, but those kinds of people should be made an example of. Perhaps in the form of a firm telling off and some community service. Perhaps even coming face to face with someone who's been through it, as I doubt they'd find it funny then. Free speech is all well and good, but just like you can't jump on a tube train and start slinging racist jokes around, you shouldn't be able to go on the internet and openly make a joke of missing children. As I'd like to point out - he wasn't just openly discussing what had happened; he thought it was funny! It's offensive and there is really no place for it in society. I know that people get away with it all the time, I.E. offensive facebook groups, but that doesn't make it okay.

 

[Foogirl]

See, I'm not a fan of the justice system being used to "make an example of" either. Doing something should be illegal or not. The sentence for breaking that law should be the same if you are the first or the hundredth and first. We've come a long way since we hung the heads of criminals on the castle walls as an example and we should continue moving away from those times.

I've always said the best way to deal with these things is to not give them the publicity they desire. If trolls do not shock, like all bullies they will stop.

Even a 16 year old should be aware of the nature of the Internet. It is heartbreaking to see her visibly shaken by the pages and comments, but the best advice she should be given is to come away from Facebook and the Internet and seek comfort and solace in the community around her, who are supportive and caring. She doesn't need to read that thousands and thousands of people are thinking of her and her family, when that is marred by a large minority blaming the family or just being downright cruel.

 

[Tasha]

I dont know enough to comment really. I just saw the story and shared it. I would need to know the joke, where it was written, if he has done similar before and so on before I could decide if the arrest was OTT or not.

Personally I dont think that bullies stop if they are ignored or no shock is shown, I find that they tend to go further and further until they get the reaction they are looking for.

Completely different topic but anyone else feel the church service shouldnt of been shown on television? It should of been for locals only, family, friends etc IMO

 

[EmmyReece]

I have to agree with you Tasha about the church service. It's nice seeing all the pictures etc and how the community really have rallied around the family, but I feel like it should have been a private thing for April's family, her friends and people in the machynlleth community

 

[Mummy2B21]

Church service was lovely so much love for little april and what an amazing community!

 

[kaths101]

Aw I missed the church service, did Aprils family go?

I haven't seen any news today.
Are they still searching the river?

 

[lhancock90]

I really think they need to properly explore and create real laws about internet hatred.
I'm sure plenty of others did the same as this man, as is the way of the world, but hes the one being made an example of?
Its not nice but is it illegal?
It makes me uncomfortable also.

 

[mumoffive]

Aprils family didnt attend it according to bbc news.