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A schoolboy who created a Facebook page mocking the disappearance of
Madeleine McCann has written a heartfelt apology to her parents.
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Jack's letter to the McCanns
"Dear Mr
and Mrs McCann,
"My name
is Jack Tims and I recently featured in a Sun newspaper
campaign highlighting a page I set up on Facebook.
"The
title of this page made reference to your daughter
Madeleine's disappearance and was meant to be a joke between
myself and friends.
"It has
since hit home exactly what effect this page may have had on
you and your family, and anyone affected by Madeleine's
disappearance.
"I
realise now how stupid and naive I was and wish I could turn
back the clock. I can't imagine what you went through and
felt ashamed that I may have distressed you further.
"It was
never my intention to cause you or anybody else any pain or
anguish and for that I am truly sorry.
"I hope
you can accept my apology." |
Jack Tims, 17, became a national hate figure after The Sun newspaper
unmasked him as the "sick internet troll" behind a page titled 'If I get
1 million likes I'll Let Maddie Go'
But the part-time shop worker, from Herne Bay, says it was a "stupid and
naive" prank which got out of hand.
Speaking exclusively to the Kentish Gazette, he says being exposed has
made him realise the hurt he may have caused Kate and Gerry McCann –
prompting him to pen the letter this week.
The couple are still searching for their daughter more than four years
after she disappeared on holiday in Portugal.
Jack – who has received threats since The Sun published the story on
Saturday – said: "The page was never meant to be malicious or directed
at the McCanns.
"I was just chatting with a friend about jokes comedians like Frankie
Boyle come out with and decided to create the page.
"I had no intention of hurting anyone.
"It was closed by Facebook after three days and I never thought any more
of it until it was in The Sun. Then it really hit home how much I may
have distressed people.
"I was just stupid and naive and didn't think through what I was doing.
I just wish I could turn back the clock."
The Sun described him as "shameless" and a "coward".
But the teen – who is studying for his A-levels and has never been in
trouble with the police – says he's not the person he was portrayed to
be.
He said: "I read the story and thought that's not me. Yes, I was stupid,
but I'm not a nasty person.
"If I had known the hurt it would cause I would never have done it.
"That's why I decided to write to the McCanns. I only hope they can
forgive me." |
