Police have been told to track down a Facebook troll who abused a former north-east politician.
Reece Cuthbert, 26, had a warrant issued for his arrest after failing to appear for a sentencing hearing at Dundee Sheriff Court.
Cuthbert previously admitted targeting former Conservative MP Ross Thomson in July 2019.
He is currently the subject of a structured deferred sentence, which involves him meeting with social workers before the case being disposed of.
Cuthbert previously pled guilty to sending Mr Thomson messages that were “grossly offensive” and of “indecent, obscene or menacing” character.
Solicitor Anika Jethwa told Dundee Sheriff Court on Monday: “He is not here and there is no explanation for his non-appearance.”
The court previously heard how social workers believed Cuthbert was not trying hard enough to met the demands of the structured deferred sentence.
Sheriff Gregor Murray said previously: “The charitable view is that you are benefiting from the assistance provided to you and hopefully you will be suitable for a community-based disposal.
“The cynical view is that you are not trying hard enough.
“The social workers have doubts about you.
“It’s up to you to prove them and me wrong.”
Tory MP did not seek re-election
Mr Thomson was the Conservative MP for Aberdeen South between June 2017 and November 2019.
He did not seek re-election following sexual misconduct allegations but was cleared by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards last October.
Cuthbert, of Haddington Avenue, Dundee, was previously locked-up after a vicious attack on two police officers sent to arrest him.
He used the officers’ pepper spray against them and tried to gouge the eye of one officer.
In March 2020, Cuthbert was ordered to pay £1,300 in compensation for punching a woman he didn’t know and making racist remarks towards two men in Dundee city centre.
Sheriff Murray issued a warrant for Cuthbert’s arrest.
