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This is the internet troll who made vile comments about tragic teenager Mzee Mohammed .

Rowan O’Connell, 23, was hit with a fine by magistrates today over the sick outbust following the death of Mzee, 18.

The teenager, described by his mother as a “gentle giant”, died after becoming unwell while detained by police officers at Liverpool ONE in July.

O’Connell took to social media website Reddit, where he made baseless allegations, labelling Mzee a “good for nothing, spice smoking, Toxteth monkey”.

He added: “As I say, who gives a f***.”

O’Connell, of Back North Crescent in Lytham St Annes, Lancs, pleaded guilty to sending a communication of an indecent or offensive nature at Sefton Magistrates’ Court today.

He was fined £275 and ordered to pay costs of £115.

O’Connell admitted “going trolling” during a discussion by Reddit users linked to an ECHO report about the incident on July 17 – under the anonymous account Rolfy 420.

David Maxwell, prosecuting, told the court the post was spotted by a police officer “conducting intelligence research”.

Nick Archer, defending, told the court that O’Connell experienced a strong backlash from the Reddit community which resulted in his employer’s Facebook page being flooded with derogatory posts.

This in turn led to O’Connell losing his job, although he has since managed to find other work.

Mr Archer said his client was not a racist and claimed the use of the word “monkey” was the sole reason the case had reached court.

He said: “In cases like this context is everything, and for lots of reasons his conduct is deeply regretted. The defendant does not consider himself a racist in any way.”

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He told the court the message had been posted in a discussion where many users were “denigrating the police” and O’Connell, who had been drinking, was trying to provoke a reaction.

O’Connell was told by the presiding magistrate, Frank Dainty: “Trolling always has a victim. That website is nationwide, so [there is] more opportunity for victims.

“One day, and that day is today, you are the victim; don’t think that what you say has no effect on other people.

“We are not happy at all, and can I make it clear that any racial offence will be strongly dealt with.”

An investigation into Mr Mohammed’s death is being conducted by police watchdog, the Independent Police Complainants Commission (IPCC).

His death caused a huge outpouring of grief which saw hundreds march through Liverpool city centre in a peaceful vigil to celebrate his life.

The cause of Mzee’s death has not yet been confirmed and the IPCC is carrying out extensive inquiries into the events of the night.

O’Connell refused to answer questions when confronted by the ECHO outside court.