Alfie Evans troll who called dying toddler ‘little c***’ in vile message forced to flee home after it goes viral
A VILE troll taunted dying toddler Alfie Evans and called him a “little c***” in a twisted Facebook post that provoked such outrage he had to flee his home.
Anthony Hirst, from Burnley, was arrested after the foul-mouthed post went viral and furious social media users complained to the police, a court heard.
The jobless former bakery worker, 48, admitted sending a grossly offensive message when he appeared at Burnley Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
His vile post read: "F*** Alfie the scouce little c*** Let him die. That be 97 then after the hillsbourgh 96. One less Scouse to worry about bin licking gob****s."
The sick message, which included three smiley face emojis, was widely shared by outraged people on Facebook.
Hirst, whose own four-month-old daughter died in 2010, told police during an interview that he was depressed but couldn’t explain why he sent the message.
He was responded to a text he’d received expressing sympathy for the 23-month-old toddler, along with a candle image, days before his death on April 28.
He told a probation officer he responded to the message, which started “what’s up, sweetcheeks”, without thinking and then went back to sleep.
Hirst received threats when the message went viral and he had to move home, the court heard.
Alfie, who had a degenerative brain condition, died nearly a week after his life support was withdrawn following a High Court ruling that further treatment was against his best interests.
Doctors believed he was suffering from an incurable neurological condition that prevented him from converting food into energy.
Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said: “He said he was depressed and not in the right frame of mind. He couldn’t explain any reason why he sent that message.”
Cathryn Fell, defending, said Hirst responded "completely inappropriately," to the message sent to him.
She added: "He sent a message to one person. He has not put it on a public platform. Unfortunately, they have thereafter shared it with others and that's why it's effectively mushroomed."
Miss Fell said: "He knew it was wrong. It was stupid. He said ‘I can't explain it. I'm sorry for what happened."’
The solicitor said Hirst had since had to move out of his home because of threats.
She went on: "He's fully appreciated the effect it's had on people and it's affected him back."
How brave Alfie Evans battled his illness
9 May 2016 - Alfie is born in Liverpool to parents Tom Evans and Kate James.
1 December 2016 - Alfie is taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital after suffering seizures. He will spend the next 12 months there.
11 December 2017 - The hospital and family disagree over Alfie's treatment, with his parents saying that the hospital applied to the High Court to remove parental rights and withdraw ventilation.
19 December 2017 - The High Court case begins with Mr Justice Hayden saying he will make a decision on what is best for Alfie.
1 February 2018 - A hearing begins at the High Court in Liverpool in which lawyers acting for the hospital claim further treatment for Alfie is unkind and inhumane.
2 February 2018 - One of Alfie's doctors tells the judge there is "no hope" for the youngster, who is in a semi-vegetative state from a degenerative neurological condition doctors have not been able to definitively diagnose.
20 February 2018 - Mr Justice Hayden rules in favour of the hospital and accepts medical evidence that further treatment would be futile.
6 March 2018 - Three Court of Appeal judges uphold the decision of Mr Justice Hayden.
20 March 2018 - Supreme Court justices refuse the couple permission to mount another appeal.
28 March 2018 - The European Court of Human Rights also rejects a request from the family to intervene.
16 April 2018 - Alfie's parents argue he is being wrongly "detained" at Alder Hey and make a habeas corpus application. Judges at the Court of Appeal in London rule against them.
18 April 2018 - Mr Evans flies to Rome and meets with Pope Francis.
20 April 2018 - The Supreme Court rules against Alfie's parents for a second time.
23 April 2018 - The ECHR rejects a last-ditch appeal. Supporters storm the hospital. Alfie is granted Italian citizenship. His life support is turned off at 9.17pm.
24 April 2018 - Alfie is still breathing on his own and has had oxygen and water, his father tells supporters.
25 April 2018 - Alfie's parents lose their appeal to take the tot to Italy for further treatment.
26 April 2018- Supporters of Alfie hold a candlelit vigil for the child at the Vatican as his father calls for demonstrations outside the hospital to end
28 April 2018 - Alfie dies five days after doctors turn off his ventilator
A probation officer who interviewed the defendant said he had lost both his parents within the last couple of years and lost a daughter in 2010.
She told the court: "He has been diagnosed with depression recently by his GP and has been medicated. His GP has referred him for some grief counselling."
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Hirst admitted sending a message that was grossly offensive, on or between April 23 and 26.
The 48-year-old, who is on benefits and who had no previous convictions, received a 12-month community order, with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
He must also do 40 hours unpaid work and was ordered to pay £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
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