Missing Jay Slater's bosses slam 'cruel' trolls over abusive emails about teen

The employer of missing Jay Slater has lashed out at 'cruel' online trolls emailing them with abusive messages about the 19-year-old and said 'family shouldn't have to endure this'.

Jay disappeared on the island of Tenerife last Monday (June 17) after attending a music festival. The Spanish Civil Guard, local police, fire crews and mountain rescue teams are all involved in the ongoing search of the vast and 'treacherous' Rural de Teno national park, where Jay was last heard from.

Friends and family of Jay have also travelled to the island to aid in the search. Jay, who hails from Oswaldtwistle, is an apprentice bricklayer employed by construction firm the PH Build Group, based in east Lancashire town.

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However, the company has now revealed that they are being targeted by trolls, condemning those posting "negative comments and conspiracy theories."

In a Facebook post, the company shared an email referencing Jay's conviction following a machete attack in August 2021, stating: "This is just one of many emails sent to us along with some great reviews. These people are trying to ruin people's lives and businesses sat behind a screen looking for attention.

"Everyone may have their own theories and feelings but to publicly post them knowing you are going hurt people is just cruel. Jay's family shouldn't have to endure this. The only thing that should matter right now is getting a 19-year-old son back to his family where he belongs."

The person – who did leave their name but we're choosing not to include – said: "You employed a man that macheted (sic) a man down to his skull with about five other guys who helped him. Your heartfelt posts are null and void. Your a disgrace hiring somebody who ma hates people (sic). Don't care how long he has been with you lot. Utter scumbags him and your company."

The ranter went on to claim that the company would lose business, and told the bosses to "go out and look for him yourselves." A reply was sent to the man . . . which pointed out the fact that they had called him "Jay Taylor".

The firm previously posted an appeal for help after he vanished but said they had been forced to remove and re-post it "due to all the negative comments and conspiracy theories", the M.E.N reports.

"Jay has been with us since he left school and is liked by all. He's a valued member of our team and we stand by him. The picture being painted of him is just not true," they said.

"The fact is he's a 19-year-old lad missing in a foreign country. He needs to be back home where he belongs. Come on Jay we are all praying for you."

The victim in the machete attack case, Tom Hilton, has himself spoken out asking people to stop referencing the incident and instead to "help find this boy."

"Whoever is writing on these TikToks, give it a rest," he posted on Facebook. "This young lad's missing and his family's heartbroken. Put yourself in their shoes. Stop talking nonsense on social media and get this lad found, mentioning my name all this and that. Have some respect and help find this boy and get him back to his family."