33-year-old Thomas Downs, a gay man living in Berkshire, UK, will serve a 14-month prison sentence. Downs confessed in court to putting a person in fear of violence and sending a letter or communication with threatening words after sending his ex-boyfriend more than 300 messages on the gay dating app Grindr, including one in which he threatened to kill an 11-year-old girl.
The Daily Mail reports that the saga began in 2012 when Downs met Jeffrey Imms. The couple began a romantic relationship which lasted four years before dissolving. Then, in 2017, Downs contacted Imms on Grindr in hopes of rekindling their relationship. The two initially formed a friendship before Downs’ messages began to take a disturbing tone.
Imms began receiving a series of 111 prank phone calls, all on the same day. He also received more than 300 messages on Grindr, many of them threatening violence against him. One even threatened an 11-year-old girl, while another claimed to have put a hit out on Imms’ life.
“I just put out a £1,000 hit on you,” the message read. “Bye bye.”
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Police arrested Thomas Downs on July 18 2017, though Downs continued to send threatening messages.
Related: He found his straight best friend and roommate on Grindr, so now what?
In his court hearing, attorneys for Downs claimed his behavior was the result of mental and emotional stress brought on by his break up with Imms, as well as his parents’ deteriorating health.
“Thomas Downs recoils at the sight of the messages he sent,” Downs’ attorney, Robert Slin, told the court. “He is thoroughly ashamed. He has the support of his new partner who he now resides with.”
James (controversial2019)
Obviously Downs has many issues and the restraining order alone is good, but can’t you block people on Grindr? If you were Imms would you not have blocked him?
Doesn’t excuse what Downs did, obviously, but I’m just curious why Imms didn’t block him?
Heywood Jablowme
Maybe it’s a British thing, like the way everyone over there is FORCED to read all that awful stuff in the tabloids.
Cam
Once again, the right wing troll using two of it’s screenames.
Notice how the first one is an attempt to blame the victim. Apparently it missed the part where the guy made 111 phone calls to him on the same day. In other words, he may have blocked the guy but multiple messages were already sent.
And then it’s additional screename comes in, trying to use this as a way to keep complaining about Meghan Markle winning a case against a tabloid.
This troll under all it’s names will always go after victims, and takes special glee in attacking Black people.
Heywood Jablowme
@Cam/DCguy: I think it’s great that Meghan Markle won a case against a tabloid. But it seems like everyone in the UK talks about how awful the tabloids are, and then they read them anyway. This situation is similar. I’m certainly not blaming the victim. (Don’t know if James is!)
If I were in that position and received a lot of texts (etc.), I’d have a friend look thru them to make sure there was no legally actionable threat. If there WAS one, see a lawyer, but I definitely wouldn’t force myself to read them.
More projection on your part. You think about multiple screen names 24/7, and probably dream about them. That doesn’t mean everybody else is doing the same thing.
Cam
@Heywood Jablowme
LOL! Love it, and once again the troll uses the same dig under this screename that it’s used under multiple others.
See, where you made the mistake THIS time. Is that under this screename, you pretended not to really be as concerned about the number of messages the victim received, but instead were concerned about the tabloids.
But then you went into a whole thing about the texts under this screename in your response to me, forgetting it was the other screename where you pretended to give a crap about that.
Wow, you’re really, REALLY bad at this. Your troll game is limp and orange.
Heywood Jablowme
@Cam/DCguy: James seems to be new here. He’s not me.
Again, the ONLY one here who definitely has used another screen name, is YOU. Why is that, DCguy? You’ve never explained that, DCguy! Please explain that, DCguy!
And your mental state is deteriorating. Maybe you’re Giancarlo1985 posting on a contraband cellphone from the mental hospital.
Cam
@Heywood Jablowme
Aaaaand the other screename for the right wing troll account continues to try to attack and lash out to avoid the fact it’s screenames got called out for victim blaming.
Chrisk
It’s part of dating. You’re going to eventfully run into some real psycho’s. I’ve definitely had my share. Had to call the Police as well.
James (controversial2019)
@Heywood
I don’t understand what you mean? I like in the UK and me and mine don’t read tabloids and aren’t forced to?
Heywood Jablowme
I was being facetious.
Cam
Remember troll.
One of the things I kept telling you, if you’re going to switch screenames to comment and try to convince the site you’re multiple people, try not to post responses immediately after the posting.
Wow, your troll game is sad and weak.
Heywood Jablowme
@Cam/DCguy: You’re the expert on that subject, so in the unlikely event I ever want to make up a phony screen persona (like you do) I’ll remember your advice!
Cam
Sweetie, look, your trolling under these screenames got exposed. Time for you to create a few more and then get yourself caught trolling again. LOL
Heywood Jablowme
You mean like that time you “exposed” me as Donston because I wrote a comment that was LONG and since Donston almost always writes LONG comments, that obviously “proved” I was Donston!
PollyDarton
Why not just block him and keep moving along? Instead of choosing to stay immersed and drowning in his drama? Choices.
James (controversial2019)
You can’t have that opinion Polly; otherwise it means you and I are the same person here to Troll.
James (controversial2019)
@Cam
Please can you answer 2 questions for me, simply? No attacking, no accusations, no filler, just straight answers:
1. Myself, and some (certainly not all!) of the other users you accuse of being Trolls and/or the same person, post a mixture of comments. Why do you never seem to comment on the ones which are without-question supportive of LGBTQ+ folk and completely contradictory to something a “right wing troll” would say? To me it seems that you don’t because, to do so, would diminish you’re argument that we are Trolls. But am genuinely curious to know your reasoning.
2. Do you honestly believe that multiple people CANNOT have the same opinion as you UNLESS said multiple people are the same person using different monikers? I assume you’ve met multiple people in the real world who have different opinions to you, and I assume you haven’t accused them of body switching or cloning themselves or creating robots but rather you’ve realised multiple different people do have different opinions to you, so I’m curious to know why you feel that’s not possible online as well as offline.
I would be much appreciative if you could answer those 2 questions so that I can understand your reasoning for constantly attacking me (and others).
Thanks.
Cam
Sweetie,
1. I see the occasional comments that are “Supportive”, and what’s adorable is that YOU are obviously aware of and tracking those comments also. See, you couldn’t just sit back, wait and hope that your occasionally placing “supportive” comments would convince people these screenames weren’t trolls, you got impatient and had to cry about those games not working yet, even though you’ve only been doing it for a few days. Your impatience is sad and your attempts are embarrassing.
2. Oh, if it was simply people having different opinions, I would KNOW they weren’t trolls. But, here, I’ll help you out, since you being a terrible troll is getting boring, so let me show you how to be a better one. Doesn’t matter what screename you’re under, you’re enraged and obsessed with calling me out with the same 3 or 4 insults, always a giveaway, you did it under this very screename a short time ago.
You think you’re being clever, but since your main goal is to support racism, bigotry, and sexism, you glow like a sparkler on here.
There, now discuss this with your manager at the troll farm, take another class, and try to be better at this
James (controversial2019)
@Cam
Thank you for answering. I feel like this type of dialogue is useful to try and understand each other better.
With regards to Answer 1:
I commented on another post (the Mygyn Kelly) one, and will summarise here.
I’ve never known a right-wing troll to want to “try and fit in” or to “try and convince people they’re not a troll”. The online trolls I’ve encountered are unapologetically trolling. They don’t care who knows it. They don’t care if people call them out on being a troll. And they certainly NEVER jeopardise their own feeling of integrity by saying something contrary to what they believe. The racist trolls never feel the need or desire to say something supportive of other races. The transphobic trolls never feel the need or desire to say something supportive of the trans community.
Please could you explain why you believe, if I were a genuine troll, I’d try and convince people I’m not a troll? Or why I’d happily go against my phobic beliefs and post ANY supportive comments? Why would I do that? I’ve seen genuine trolls on here and they don’t seem to be removed by Queerty staff, so it’s not like I would be afraid of being blocked/removed were I to be an out and proud troll. So with that in mind, please explain why you think I’d both spending my time trying to defend myself (rather than being loud and proud about being a troll; like trolls are) or spend my time trying to convince people that I’m not a troll by posting supportive comments (at all!)?
It just doesn’t follow the Troll mindset?
With regards to Answer 2:
Do you not think it reasonable, if someone was a genuine real person, that they would get defensive or angry at the same person continuously accusing them of being anything other then genuine and real? In my experience, if you accuse someone of being something they’re not, they get angry and defensive. Why do you find it implausible that I would be the same?
You don’t know me Cam, and you will never believe me, but what I can say is this (heck I can swear it on the Bible if you wish, and what with you believing I’m right-wing, surely I’d never swear on the Bible and lie?!):
I am gay – and I enjoy being gay. I’ve been gay since I was 11 and out since I was 14.
I am British – I grew up on a council estate with disabled parents who relied on benefits; I have no right wing upbringing or money or privileges
I am mixed race – white with black Caribbean. I will admit I, fortunately, have never been subject to racism (my colouring appears more Mediterranean than most mixed race people in the UK so perhaps I’ve never been perceived as being mixed) HOWEVER just because I have not personally experienced racism, it does not mean I think it doesn’t exist (it most certainly does – my brother, also mixed race and slightly darker than myself has been a victim of racism!) NOR do I think “nothing” needs to be done to combat racism. Clearly, in every country, there is work to be done to ensure racism is stamped out (and it needs to be). But that does not mean that I personally have to see racism in places others see it. Much in the same way as if someone said in front of me “Ugh. Peer reviews at work are so gay” I, personally, wouldnt be offended or find it homophobic. BUT I do accept and appreciate that some would be offended by it and find it homophobic. But my not being offended or finding it homophobic does not make me homophobic or right wing. If someone called me a f*g, I would find that homophobic and be outraged.
I am the BIGGEST mummy’s boy – everyone can tell I am my mother’s son because I am so close to her. She is my idol and has shown me (before I was old enough to know of any of the modern day or historic Female Bosses) that women can be bosses. I love and respect her so much that I would NEVER dare to think less than of women, because it would mean thinking less of my mum. Never gonna happen.
I am, politically, odd – I care about the environment. About climate change and ensuring we thwart it. I also care about ensuring LGBTQ folks have rights; I love that on Day 1 Biden reversed the Trans in the army ban that Trump put in. I was angry that in the UK gay men could only give blood after abstaining from s*x for 12 months whereas their heterosexual counterparts had no such restrictions, and was pleased when that was recently changed. Just a couple of examples of traditionally “left-wing” political views. But on the other hand, I don’t agree with taxing the rich more. Despite my upbringing I mentioned above, I feel that if you’ve either worked to make millions OR been fortunate enough to inherit it, you shouldn’t have to pay more in taxes for that hard work or fortunate inheritance. I also don’t agree that every example of alleged racism, homophobia,sexism, bigotry IS what is alleged. Obviously there are times when someone is accused of being racist because they’re racist. But there are times when I feel political correctness has gone too far and people are offended by things that I don’t consider to be offensive. And that’s just it, I don’t consider them offensive. I’m not saying they’re not offensive, because that is subjective, I’m just saying I don’t find them offensive. And those couple of examples are perhaps more “right wing”.
Anyway, I would have liked to say all this to you in a private message, so you understand me a bit better, but it’s not possible on this site. And this will probably have no impact on you, or you accepting me for who I say I am (and only me; no other screen names) but I wanted to engage in a decent dialogue. Thank you.
Cam
@James (controversial2019)
All very well and good, except you tried the “I’m not white and I grew up in a council flat in Britain” story a year or so ago under another troll screename. Very coincidental. Also, always interesting for somebody in the UK to take such deep dives into American politics on other threads. Your first posting was more right wing and you backed off after being called out.
You’ve done this under multiple screenames over and over. But no problem, I’ll wait to see which new screename comes on here to name call and defend you, while forgetting not to use the exact same insults or tone of typing that you do.
James (controversial2019)
@Cam
It’s interesting how out of everything I reasonably said, which counters everything you’ve claimed about me (as both me and my alleged monikers), you make no comment to anything other than try to tell me I’m not British.
I’ve had one username since 2019, and I post on articles relating to entitlement/wealth, race, politics, and so yes, it’s quite possible I’ve mentioned by council estate upbringing previously. Under a different screen name? Either it’s someone else, or you’re just throwing things out there hoping something sticks.
Given it’s an American site, which posts a LOT about American politics (and American people), it kind of follows that some of my comments would relate to American politics? Otherwise there’s nothing for me to post about.
However, you forget, that you regularly post on UK articles (e.g. only the other day you spouted off about the Royal Family and how they shouldn’t exist); do you see me (or anyone) accusing you of being secretly British due to commenting on British things? No. So if your argument is “You, James, on a US site upon which many posts relate to US politics, comment on said articles and therefore are secretly American despite you claiming otherwise”, I must ask; are you secretly British, Cam?
ScottOnEarth
I seriously think this “Cam” dude is disturbed and has nothing but time on his hands. Anyone who apparently has an opinion that differs from him is called (through grammatically-incorrect comments) a troll and various other tiresome names. Cam needs to get a hobby, rather than doing nothing but spreading negativity in Queerty’s comments sections.
Openminded
Amen. He brought out the worst in me when I first started visiting this site with his constant troll claims. I still post an attack reply when he includes my username in his list of alleged trolls but have learned to not give him a second thought.
Canadiancub
I just made this account after reading this site for years. And his is the only like username I ever recognize and see on a daily basis. This guy appears to just have nothing better to do with his time
BC
Grindr is what it is…..regardless of the dating app, we all should be mindful in each circumstance of the red flags/risks not just the potential rewards. I’ve had my share of both in the past
Heywood Jablowme
Last summer during the campaign, there was a theory going around here that Cam was a PRO-Trump troll trying to make liberals look bad by being obnoxious! At the time this theory seemed extreme to me, but maybe that’s it? Since Jan. 6 he’s become even more disturbed.
TimidTim
I got accused of being a troll with multiple accounts by Cam and all I got was this tshirt lol It’s so comical and cartoonish it’s like those Don Rickles shows where you don’t feel you got your money’s worth until he insults you. Same here with Cam and his cartoony catchphrases. Are you also strong to the finish cause you eat your spinach? Dynamite? Or course you are don’t be ridiculous lol And it’s not even New Yorker snobby satire comical at this point. The
“multiple account troll bit” is like back on the middle school newspaper Little Lada funnies comical haha! This is too much now. Sorry. Im thinking of making new accounts as we speak just to let run a muck and have a field day. It’s like his birthday, Xmas, the 4th and Halloween all rolled into one. Please tell me your last name is Lamb. Cam Lamb would make total sense with how cartoonish this is getting
Hey trolls don’t have genitalia right? Well apparently people here had the balls to stand up to you so maybe think that one over, eh ? Camidy at its finest.
gevorg
Secret playground for adults, where you can meet different people – xmeet.fun