Police drop probe into racist abuse targeting Stan Collymore
A police investigation into racist abuse against football pundit Stan Collymore on Twitter has ended, the star has said.
Staffordshire Police launched a probe after the commentator and former footballer from Cannock was targeted on the social networking site in January.
A number of youngsters have been spoken to about the abuse and dealt with by police, without facing court action.
Chief Inspector Steve Morrey, commander of Cannock Chase Local Policing Team (LPT), said: "A thorough and detailed investigation was launched by Staffordshire Police following the abuse directed at Mr Collymore on Twitter earlier this year.
"After inquiries were carried out four juveniles were located and dealt with through restorative justice. Mr Collymore was aware of this and happy with the process.
"Despite repeated requests for information made to Twitter regarding a number of other users we wanted to speak to in connection with this matter Twitter have not supplied it.
"We have also tried to obtain this information via other social media networks but to no avail. Therefore all lines of inquiry have been exhausted. The matter will be reviewed should any new information come to light.
"Mr Collymore has been regularly updated on our progress throughout this investigation and is aware of the outcome.
"We would like to reiterate the abuse directed at Mr Collymore was completely unacceptable and we all have a shared responsibility to treat each other with dignity and respect.
"It's our role to investigate complaints of criminal behaviour and where appropriate take action."
But the talkSPORT presenter has said the investigation has finished because the force can't get hold of 'user information.'
He tweeted "Cannock and Staffordshire Police have been exceptional. It's Twitter refusing to give info. Twitter, beyond UK law. For now."
See also: Police boss calls for action on Stan Collymore Twitter abuse
Collymore angry over Twitter trolls
The ex England International called in police at the start of the year after being sent a barrage of racist and other abuse.
Collymore, who was on Wolves' books as a youth and went on to play for Aston Villa, retweeted some of the messages he was sent to his 479,000 followers, many of whom reacted with horror.
One posted a mock-up of a Sky News report suggesting Collymore had killed himself.
Collymore received support from several high profile sports people at the time including England keeper John Ruddy and Match of the Day host Gary Lineker who branded one racist tweeter 'an animal.'
The anti-racist Kick it Out campaign also said it was reporting messages received by the 43-year-old.
One law student who sent Collymore a series of racist tweets in 2012 was previously given a community order by the courts.
Joshua Cryer was given a two-year community order in court.
Cryer, 21, admitted using social networking website Twitter to bombard the football pundit with abuse at Newcastle Magistrates' Court.
He told police he hoped to gain a reaction from Collymore.
He admitted a charge under section 127 of the Communications Act of sending grossly offensive messages. District Judge Stephen Earl handed him a two-year community order with 240 hours unpaid work and ordered him to pay £150 costs.
