A soldier has been called a “disgrace” for posting offensive Facebook messages over the death of a three-year-old boy.
Warren Butler, 19, from Carlisle, was handed a 16-week sentence, suspended for 18 months and ordered to complete 250 hours community service.
Mikaeel Kular was found dead in Fife in January, after he was reported missing.
Grenadier Guard Butler, who is based at Aldershot barracks, Hampshire, admitted improper use of a communications network at an earlier hearing.
Basingstoke Magistrates heard Butler had been brought up in a “racist” family background.
‘Great disgrace’
He had been to several English Defence League (EDL) marches and had “liked” EDL and British National Party (BNP) pages on Facebook.
Within five minutes of him sending the message about Mikaeel Kular, it went viral.
Warren Butler received death threats after posting the offensive message
Butler and several relatives received death threats.
District judge Phillip Gillibrand said: “People were appalled at seeing this sort of prejudice.
“It was cruel, disrespectful, and completely unjustified. You have much growing up to do.
“To post this Facebook entry with you standing there in full ceremonial uniform was a great disgrace, and brought the army into disrepute.”
Butler’s commanding officer, Capt James Stafford Allen told the court prior to the incident he had a “clean slate” in the army and was following a promising career.
Since his arrest, Butler has been kept “in camp” and not allowed to leave the army barracks for eight weeks.
He has had his mobile phone taken away and internet access withdrawn.
Capt Allen said the army was still to decide what disciplinary action to take.
Butler must also pay £85 costs and an £80 victim surcharge.
Mikaeel Kular’s mother Rosdeep Kular, 33, has been charged with his murder.
