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Facebook 'bully' explains actions

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Keeley HoughtonImage source, bbc
Image caption,

Keeley was arrested after updating her status on Facebook

Earlier this year 18-year-old Keeley Houghton became the first person in Britain to be locked up for internet bullying.

She spent six weeks in the young offenders' wing of Eastwood Park prison after posting a threatening message about another girl on her own Facebook profile.

Part of the message read: "Keeley is going to murder the bitch." It also included other obscene language.

During sentencing, the judge took into account Keeley's two previous convictions for assault and criminal damage towards the same girl.

Under the conditions of her release, Keeley is not allowed on Facebook or other social networking sites until the new year.

She spoke to Newsbeat's Jim Reed.

This was part of a long running problem wasn't it?

It was a status update that got you into trouble. What did it say?

Can you explain why you did it?

Did you think you would get in trouble?

When people accused you of internet bullying what did you think?

But some people would say you did threaten to murder her. If that's not bullying then what is?

But isn't one message bullying as much as five messages?

Do you have some sympathy for the girl you posted the message about?

Do you accept it was a foolish thing to do?

So what was it like to be in court?

What went through your mind when you heard the decision?

What was life like in the young offenders' wing?

Have you learnt anything from this?

Do you think people appreciate just how serious it can be to write something on Facebook?

You can use Facebook again in January - are you going to be back on it?

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