The man who impersonated Olivia Burt online has been sentenced to 14 months in prison

The man who harassed the family of Olivia Burt, the Durham student who tragically died earlier this year, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison.

According to the Northern Echo, Paul Hind, 38, from near Hexham, was sentenced yesterday at Newcastle Crown Court. Hind admitted to four charges against him, and said he was "deeply sorry" for his actions.

As previously reported, Hind made multiple fake Facebook accounts impersonating the late Burt, calling her a "sex worker", and harassing her family. Facebook "compounded [Nigel and Paula Burt's] misery" as when one profile was taken down another one appeared "within minutes".

In a court statement, Burt's parents said Hind's actions made them feel "physically sick", and labelled him a "sick sadist".

Olivia Burt was 20, a Castle fresher, and a Natural Sciences student when she died of serious head injuries after an incident in the queue of Missoula on the 7th February of this year.

Hind claims to have mental health issues, and says that he acted out "for attention". As well as the family of Olivia Burt, Hind also targeted the families of Joe Tilley, Duncan Sim, and Hannah Witheridge, all young people who died in tragic circumstances.