COLCHESTER’S High Steward Sir Bob Russell has hit out at a “sick” internet troll who posted on a website that he was dead.

Former Colchester MP and mayor Sir Bob’s Wikipedia page was adapted to say he had passed away aged 72 on Tuesday.

Sir Bob found out after a former council colleague was contacted by a relative in another part of the country offering their condolences.

Fortunately, Sir Bob’s friend knew full well he was still alive and kicking and passed on the information of the malicious alteration.

Sir Bob said he had suffered several personal attacks during his 18 years as MP - mainly between 2010 and 2015 when bizarre scarecrows, gnomes and fridge magnets were posted around the town.

He also had his front door set on fire and graffiti and air gun pellets fired at his office at Magdalen Hall.

But he said it was the first instance of strange abuse he had suffered since he was usurped by Conservative Will Quince in 2015.

“This is the first nastiness since I lost my seat,” Sir Bob said.

“My wife and I immediately contacted our three children when we found out just in case they were stopped and commiserated about something which was not true.

“You do have broad shoulders and thick skin but to see my own death announced on the screen was a first.

“A lot of people may wish it was true but it is not very pleasant for my wife and immediate family.

“You can laugh it off but there is a sick-minded person out there who has done it. Why they have done it is pure conjecture.”

The encyclopedia site has entries which can be edited by anyone and the change to Sir Bob’s page was done anonymously.

Sir Bob said he will try and trace the person who made the cruel change.

“I would like to know whether it was politically motivated or whether it was just a spontaneous action,” he said.

“I understand this website can be edited by anybody but I believe it would be much better if those making changes put their names to it.

“It is very unpleasant.

“I think I am mentally strong but but this could have been unnerving and unsettling.

“We hear so much about people being bullied and targeted via social media and obviously this is a similar situation.

“For me I try to take things like this in my stride.”