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Chloe Cowan, from Ramsgate, admits trolling murdered toddler Jamie Bulger's mum Denise Fergus

A Thanet woman has admitted trolling the mother of Jamie Bulger – the tragic child murdered by two 10-year-old boys 22 years ago.

Chloe Cowan, of Chichester Road, Ramsgate, had denied harassing Denise Fergus with a series of vile messages on Twitter.

But today, the 20-year-old re-appeared at Canterbury Crown Court and dramatically changed her plea to guilty.

Chloe Cowan. Picture: SWNS
Chloe Cowan. Picture: SWNS

The charge under Section 4 of the 1997 Protection Of Harassment Act of causing Mrs Fergus “serious alarm”, which had “an adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities” between January and June last year, was put to her again as she stood in the dock.

This time she broke down as she replied “guilty”, before the hearing was adjourned for two weeks.

Now doctors are to be asked to find a place for her in a hospital so she can receive psychiatric help.

Jamie Bulger
Jamie Bulger

At an earlier hearing lawyers told how Cowan - who wasn't even born when the toddler was killed - was addicted to laxatives.

She was now staying with relatives near Reading and had appeared by video link from Reading Crown Court.

But the judge ordered her to appear at Canterbury in person in November where she pleaded not guilty "by reason of insanity" and a psychiatric report was ordered.

Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who killed Jamie Bulger
Robert Thompson and Jon Venables, who killed Jamie Bulger

Judge Adele Williams is expected to impose an interim Hospital Order under the Mental Health Act at the next hearing on January 22.

Cowan was granted bail on the condition she doesn’t make contact with Mrs Fergus or any other prosecution witness.

Cowan was arrested after police launched an investigation after Mrs Fergus complained about “trolls” on Twitter blaming her for the death of Jamie in 1993.

Mrs Fergus tweeted: "Cant believe that some1 on here is still blamin me 4 my sons murder it took me a long time 2 stop blamin myself thanx 4 ruinin my evenin (sic)."

Jamie Bulger was taken by the two boys from a shopping centre
Jamie Bulger was taken by the two boys from a shopping centre

After a picture of a relative of Mrs Fergus was posted online, someone with the username SirJVenables, taunted: “Can’t wait til he’s a tot, the tracks are already calling his name.”

The taunt was about the fact the two-year-old had been killed on train tracks in Liverpool by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.

Mrs Fergus told a newspaper: “It is time Twitter made it a priority to close down trolls. They can’t just wash their hands of it.”

The case is expected to be opened by the prosecution at the next hearing.

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