Ched Evans retrial: Police hunt Facebook and Twitter trolls who name complainant

Ched Evans said he is 'disassociating' himself from anyone who names or abuses female complainant.
PA
Francesca Gillett17 October 2016

Police are monitoring social media accounts to crack down on people naming the complainant in the Ched Evans case.

Many people have publicly the named the woman online, after the footballer was cleared of rape on Friday after a retrial.

The law gives lifetime anonymity to those who make allegations of sexual offences meaning anyone who names the complainant could be prosecuted and fined.

In a statement on his website today, Mr Evans said he disowns anyone who names or abuses the complainant.

He said: "Following yesterday's decision at Cardiff Crown Court I want to stress that I absolutely disassociate myself from anyone who names on any forum the woman in this case. Or makes any offensive comments about her."

Cleared: Ched Evans and girlfriend Natasha Massey outside Cardiff Crown Court. 
Ben Birchall/PA

North Wales Police have already put out a warning to people on social media not to name the victim.

Bethan King, a spokeswoman for North Wales Police, told the Standard they have opened a special log to record complaints against people who have taken to social media to reveal the woman’s name.

She said officers are monitoring accounts on Facebook and Twitter to crack down on those naming the complainant.

Supt Jo Williams, of North Wales Police, said after the verdict on Friday: “We acknowledge the decision of the jury.”

“We are aware that once again the victim has been named on social media.

“We would remind people that it is a criminal offence under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Amendments Act to do so, and that the victim has the right to lifelong anonymity. An investigation is ongoing into the naming.

“People need to be aware that they could find themselves being arrested and prosecuted.

“This was done previously, people were prosecuted and heavily fined.”

North Wales Police said no one has yet been arrested.

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