Abuse targets his children

Dom Joly has called in police after an internet troll made death threats against his children.

A Twitter account was set up called @deathtojolykids, which posted a photo of his family with the caption: ‘The tall one looks like she has cancer I'm concerned. Does the short one have downs?’

One post read: ‘So ur kids dead of cancer yet or what faggot?’

The comic, who has an 11-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son, said he has made a formal report to Cirencester police, where he lives, and said he was ‘very impressed’ with their response.

In a series of tweets the 43-year-old said: ‘@MetPoliceUk I would like to report a death threat to my kids - this is the twitter account set up- @deathtojolykids’

‘Police have been contacted, I have screen grabs, I'll let u know what happens - you can arrest someone who issues a death threat - which you have. I will have you arrested, trust me.

‘OK formal report made to police- can't wait until they track him down.’

The Trigger Happy TV star’s response to internet trolls has provoked further insults. One user called Mickey McChin has been instrumental in goading the comic, who he calls a ‘sad little has-been comedian’ with particularly inflammatory language, and admitted: ‘I was being intentionally insulting to provoke a reaction.’

Joly said: ‘It's cunts like @Mr_McChin who go on about this sort of stuff being "banter" that encourage people making death threats to kids.’

Earlier this week 'troller' Sean Duffy, 25, was jailed for 18 weeks after posted vile abuse on Facebook and memorial sites dedicated to dead children.

McChin denies setting up the @deathtojolykids account, which was suspended today.

Published: 15 Sep 2011