Andrew Wyper faces racist abuse charge over Evan Mohammed site

A man has been charged with posting racist abuse on an internet page set up in memory of a nine-year-old boy who died in a house fire in Kilmarnock.

Andrew Wyper, 26, denies targeting the web page dedicated to raising funds for the family of Evan Mohammed.

He also denies racially aggravated conduct amounting to the harassment of campaign organiser, Jane Mulrainey.

Mr Wyper was freed on bail at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court and the case was adjourned until a later date.

He is said to have posted the racially offensive messages at an address in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, on 30 January.

Mr Wyper, from Galston, also faces an alternative charge of threatening or abusive behaviour likely to place others in fear and alarm.

The fundraising campaign on a social networking site was launched after Evan died in a fire at his home in December last year.

The fire is thought to have been caused by a faulty fibre optic Christmas tree in the youngster's bedroom.

Evan's mother Sheree McGill escaped from the house then tried to get back in to rescue Evan and her two younger daughters but was held back by neighbours.

All three children were removed by firefighters and taken to hospital, where Evan died.

Another of Ms McGill's children was staying at his grandmother's house at the time of the fire.