An internet ‘troll’ who made a sick joke about missing youngster April Jones will appear in court on Monday.
Matthew Wood, 20, of Eaves Lane, Chorley, was arrested at an address in Brinscall on Saturday after going on the run when a ‘joke’ made about the youngster sparked outrage on social networking website, Facebook.
He will appear before magistrates in Chorley on Monday morning charged.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “An arrest was made at an address in Brinscall on Saturday and we can confirm we have charged Matthew Wood with breaching Section 27 of the Communications Act, namely sending a public electronic communication which is grossly offensive.
“He has been remanded in custody and will appear before Chorley Magistrates Court on Monday.”
The posting about the abducted five-year-old, which also relates to the missing youngster Madeleine McCann, was made on Mr Wood’s Facebook account on Thursday.
On Saturday, Dyfed Powys Police confirmed they have charged mechanic Mark Bridger, 46, with the abduction and murder of April.
He is also accused of perverting the course of justice and will appear before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Monday.
The five-year-old remains missing despite an intensive, ongoing search for the youngster who was last seen playing on her bike at 7.30pm on Monday near her home in Machynlleth, Wales.