The father of missing Allan Bryant Jr has accused the BBC of “trolling his family” after a twisted Facebook user who claimed he had killed the missing man featured on a documentary that tracked down online abusers.
Allan Bryant Sr launched a scathing critique of the film, Troll Hunters, broadcast on BBC Three on Wednesday night.
In it Stewart McInroy, a serial troll who was jailed for the torrent of abuse he sent the Bryant family on Facebook, was interviewed by presenter Em Ford a blogger and victim of online trolls.
McInroy blamed his actions on alcohol and claimed he was “addicted” to the controversy he generated online.
At no point during the interview did he apologise to Mr Bryant’s family only saying he was “disgusted” with himself.
McInroy was handed a 10-month sentence after he posted on the Find Allan Bryant Jr Facebook page claiming “I am the killer of Allan Bryant”.
He then claimed to have abducted Allan, held him hostage and tortured him before killing him and dumping the body before taunting the family about his whereabouts.
After he got out of jail, McInroy was given another prison term after hurling more cyber abuse at his ex just weeks later threatening to hurt her dog and a small child and burn her house down if she didn’t contact him.
Allan Jr was 23 when he disappeared after a night out in Glenrothes more than two years ago.
He had been at the Styx nightclub and CCTV footage showed him leaving in the early hours of the morning.
Mr Bryant Sr blasted the BBC for broadcasting the film without telling him the story was to be featured.
He only found out about it after he was tipped off by a local police officer.
Mr Bryant said: “Thank you so much, BBC, for trolling my family without letting us know this man was going to appear on TV.
“BBC you are just as guilty as this man for not letting us know he was going to be on TV. You actually trolled my family I’m fuming. It is a joke you have hurt my family and I am raging.
“This guy told me he killed my son what are you doing? What the hell was that about?”
Speaking following the interview, presenter Em Ford said: “I feel sad. This is an addiction for people it’s just as addictive as getting nice comments.”
When contacted by The Courier, a BBC spokesman said: “This programme examines the nature of trolling and its impact on victims.
“A short scene contains our presenter, who herself has been a victim of trolls, confronting and challenging Stewart McInroy about his trolling activity.
“He is questioned about if he understands the impact on the victims, however the programme does not include any personal details about the case in question.”