AN INTERNET troll has been handed a nine-month probation order after sending death threats to footballer Neal Maupay.
Derek Ng De Ren sent the threatening messages to the Brighton and Hove Albion striker on Instagram after Maupay's team beat Arsenal last June.
The 19-year-old, from Singapore, was caught following an investigation and formal criminal complaint filed by the Premier League last August.
READ MORE: Singapore football troll convicted of 'vile and toxic' abuse of Albion striker
The 24-year-old striker was on the receiving end of threatening messages sent via Instagram, which were then reported to the Premier League through its online abuse reporting system.
Under the probation order, Mr Ren will avoid prison but will serve 40 hours of community service and undergo counselling.
The teenager, who is an Arsenal fan, will also be required to obey a nightly curfew between 10pm and 6am. His mother has posted a S$5000 ($3700; £2689) bond to ensure he meets the conditions.
Mr Ren was found guilty in June – marking the first conviction following a player abuse complaint by the Premier League outside the UK.
The sentencing ends a year of collaboration between UK football authorities and Singapore's police.
Maupay, who signed for The Seagulls from Brentford in 2019, was Brighton's leading scorer last season with eight goals.
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