Man remanded over Facebook comment which kept 3,000 American kids away from school

Comment suggested something violent might happen at high school

A British man was in court today over a Facebook post in which he allegedly threatened to kill 200 American schoolchildren.

Reece Elliott, 24, from South Shields, is alleged to have made the threat on Wednesday, on a memorial page to a girl killed in a car accident in Tennessee, suggesting that something violent would happen at Warren County High School.

The comment reportedly led to 3,000 children missing school in the area.

According to The Tennessean, the post- which was made anonymously- led to increased security around several schools in McMinnville, a city around 70 miles from Nashville.

Two deputies patrolled at the nearby Hickory Creek Elementary, and officers were at every school in the city.

Elliott appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court for a 30-minute hearing where he also faced a charge of making a malicious communication.

He did not enter pleas to the charges.

Kevin Smallcombe, defending, said Elliott has no passport and no desire to visit Warren County.

Jim Lynch, chairman of the bench, said he would be remanded into custody.