One of the reasons the internet has been less-than-sympathetic to the Jay Slater missing person case is because of a news story that was dug up that shows Jay was involved in a brutal gang attack in 2021 that resulted in his teenage victim having his ‘head split open’. Somehow, Jay managed to get away with a Community Order, even after reportedly acting like an idiot in court.

Well, interestingly, the victim, Tom Hilton, has put up a Facebook status criticising the online reaction to Jay Slater’s disappearance and hoping for his return:

‘Whoever is writing on these TikToks, give it a rest. This young lad’s missing and his family’s heartbroken.

‘Put yourself in their shoes. Stop talking nonsense on social and get this lad found, mentioning my name all this and that. Have some respect and help find this boy.’

That’s a fair point, really. Jay Slater and 7 of his buddies may have brutally attacked Tom Hilton with machetes and golf clubs and left him a bloody mess in the road, but that doesn’t mean Jay Slater’s family should have to endure countless memes, jokes and conspiracy theorising about their Jay’s disappearance, does it?

Although I guess the only way you’re going to avoid that sort of thing in this day and age is if you stay off the internet completely, which is never going to happen, especially when you’ve got a GoFundMe going to the tune of £30,000 and counting.

Some of the conspiracy theories even involve Tom Hilton himself, with internet detectives suggesting he had some buddies out in Tenerife who spotted Jay Slater and decided to get some revenge on Tom’s behalf. So it’s no wonder the lad put out this statement out after his name has been dragged into it.

Here’s hoping we finally get some clarity on the situation and that Jay Slater is found this week. Day #9 of the search, and no breakthroughs yet.

For Carol Vorderman’s take on the situation, click HERE. It’s even dumber than you might expect.