The Singaporean teenager who threatened to kill a Premier League footballer and his family has been put on probation.
Derek Ng De Ren, 19, was sentenced to nine months’ probation today after sending online death threats to Neal Maupay, 24, of English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion last June.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of harassment last month and was ordered to perform 40 hours of community service and go for psychiatric or psychological treatment.
Ng, who was an Arsenal fan, was reacting to Maupay scoring the winning goal on June 10, 2020 that left Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno injured. Using anonymous online accounts, Ng sent messages to Maupay days after the match.
One of the messages said: “You think you will get away for injuring Leno? No way in hell bruv… But don’t worry you will be safe you won’t be hurt. It’s more fun watching you feel pain when your loved ones go through suffering.”
In another message, Ng allegedly told Maupay off for reporting his account before threatening to “kill you and your family.”
Ng’s threats made Maupay and his family fear for their lives, according to Deputy Public Prosecutor Jeremy Bin, who said in court that the French footballer and his family did not leave their home “as far as possible.”
Maupay later reported the matter to the football association, which then reported it to the Singapore authorities, prompting investigations here.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters issued a statement last month saying that the association takes each report “seriously” and would pursue legal action against online abuse “wherever in the world they may be.”
“The online abuse Neal received was appalling and nobody should have to deal with such threatening messages,” he added.
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