Police charge man over alleged online threats and abuse sent to James Schiller

New South Wales police have charged a man for allegedly sending death threats and abusive messages to Newcastle winger James Schiller.

Police have charged a man for allegedly making death threats and sending abusive messages to Newcastle winger James Schiller.

It comes as NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai conceded he was constantly on the receiving end of abhorrent abuse.

Schiller was the victim of horrific abuse on his social media account following Newcastle’s win against the Sea Eagles last week.

“Count your days c--- I will end your f---ing life,” the private message read. “Doesn’t make up for it even though you won… “Five errors, two penalties, 1 six again and partridge in a pear tree. I hope Dane (Gagai) jams his c--- down your throat and you choke and die.”

Lake Macquarie Detectives launched an investigation into the incident after Schiller was rattled by the abuse. It led to police arresting a 20-year-old man on Friday afternoon. The man fronted Belmont Police Station where he was charged with use carriage service to menace/harass/offend. He was granted conditional bail to appear at Belmont Local Court on Wednesday July 30.

Schiller like the rest of his Newcastle teammates had a nightmare opening 40 minutes to the game where they were booed from the field after trailing 16-0 at halftime. They rebounded to defeat the Sea Eagles 26-22.

Schiller shared the messages on his Instagram account which is now set to private.

James Schiller was the subject of vile online abuse.

Luai said he was regularly abused.

“So much of it comes across in so many different forms of words, messages, voice messages,” Luai said. “It’s about understanding. Social media is a big part of our world these days. Community and people think they have some kind of access to players and everyone thinks their opinion matters.

“We need to educate the players on the mental side of the game and whose opinion matters. It’s easy for me now because I’ve learnt from it and come out the other end.

It’s a tool. It would impact him so hopefully people have got around him.

“It’s all about protecting yourself and your mind.”

The matter was reported to police the day after the game. He joined the Knights this year having played 15 games for Canberra and took the field against the Roosters on Saturday night.

Originally published as Police charge man over alleged online threats and abuse sent to James Schiller