A SOCIAL media troll who once posted offensive comments on an appeal for information to help find tragic Bromsgrove student Tom Jones is now behind bars. 

Katie Bell, 27, was jailed at Sheffield Crown Court for malicious communications and breach of a restraining order.

In September 2018, after the student went missing, police tweeted a video of Superintendent Damian Pettit's appealing for information.

In the comments, Bell made an offensive post which received an angry reaction from other Twitter users.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: JAILED: Katie BellJAILED: Katie Bell (Image: South Yorkshire Police)

Newsquest contacted Bell but she provided no comment.

It has now emerged the troll has been baiting social media users into arguments and commenting hurtful and derogatory words.

Her comments were made on Twitter and Instagram between March and December 2022, targeting numerous victims.

Bell was sentenced to 15 months in prison on Monday, (July 3).

The body of Tom Jones was found in the river Severn nine days after he went missing on his way home. A coroner recorded an open verdict, saying it was most likely he slipped and fell in the water.