Professor Mary Beard: 'Why I shamed Twitter troll'

An internet troll has apologised to TV historian and classicist Professor Mary Beard after she threatened to send a copy of his comments to his mother.

Former public schoolboy Oliver Rawlings called Mary a "filthy old slut" on Twitter yesterday - as part of what appears to be a rising tide of vile messages and threats against women on the site.

Twitter has responded by saying it plans to introduce a button to report threatening or abusive behaviour.