Mikaeel Kular 'racist' tweeter sentenced

Darren Shepstone was arrested after members of the public alerted police in Scotland

A man who posted racist comments online about the disappearance of three-year-old Mikaeel Kular has been given a community order.

Darren Shepstone, 26, admitted posting grossly offensive and racially aggravated content on Twitter.

He was arrested in January after sending tweets linked to the disappearance of the Edinburgh toddler, who was later found dead.

Shepstone, of Derbyshire, must also attend an alcohol advisory service.

The tweets were brought to the attention of Police Scotland by members of the public in Edinburgh.

Officers then liaised with Derbyshire Police to identify Shepstone, who lived in Langley Mill.

Shepstone was ordered to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £165 court costs by magistrates in Derby.

Mother charged

Mikaeel was reported missing from his Edinburgh home on 16 January.

More than 200 volunteers from the community joined the emergency services in a huge search operation.

His body was found 20 miles away in Kirkcaldy, Fife, the next day.

His mother Rosdeep Kular, 33, was charged with his murder and is also accused of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

She has been remanded in custody to await trial.

Mikaeel Kular was found dead 20 miles from his home in Scotland in January