An internet troll whose grossly offensive Facebook postings included threats to kill 200 US children has been jailed for more than two years after a judge heard how he spread terror in local schools.

A British internet troll has admitted threatening to kill 200 US citizens in Facebook posts which led thousands of children to stay off school.

Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama last night unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Connecticut, school shooting.

New York state is poised to be the first in the US to pass tough new gun control measures since last month’s horrifying school shootings.