Sick abuse and naming of Ched Evans’ alleged victim continues despite police pledges to prosecute twisted trolls
Cops are already probing sick posts that name alleged victim including one that told her to 'kill herself'
TWITTER trolls have ignored anonymity laws by naming and taunting the alleged rape victim of footballer Ched Evans -- despite police warnings that they face prosecution.
The woman has been granted lifetime legal protection but vile social media messages continue to appear from supporters of the former Wales international.
The woman, who is now in her 20s, accused Evans of having sex with her at a hotel while she was paralytic and incapable of giving consent -- an account with which the original jury in his 2012 trial agreed.
But that rape conviction was overturned yesterday, with Evans' spokesperson expressing his thanks to friends and family for supporting him.
His clearance has led to a wave of abuse emerging online against the woman, who was 19 when the alleged rape at a Premier Inn near Rhyl took place.
One female Twitter user named the woman yesterday, writing: "Hopefully [she] will now be prosecuted and kill herself."
Another post featuring the woman's name pleaded for fellow supporters to retweet the message in order to shame her.
In 2012 nine people pleaded guilty to naming the woman online and were ordered to pay the alleged victim £624 each.
Meanwhile the hashtag #justiceforched featured a string of abuse aimed at the woman who has been forced to change her name and move away from the North Wales area since the alleged rape in 2011.
A tweet from @EricJShipley said: "Hope this lass gets a punishment of her own the dirty little tart, ruined a mans career and life #JusticeForChed"
@Garilee11 wrote: "The little silly girl who cried rape & ruined lives should be banged up & punished for what she has done! Absolute disgrace #JusticeForChed"
And @LincolnMarco said: "That women who has ruined Ched Evans' career/life surely deserves some time in prison? #JusticeForChed"
The Crown Prosecution Service has commended the girl's bravery in coming forward with her allegations, despite the defendant's high profile.
Chief Prosecutor for Wales Ed Beltrami said: "This case hinged on the issue of sexual consent – that someone consents if they agree by choice and have the freedom and capacity to make that choice.
"Being drunk does not mean a person relinquishes their right to consent, that they are to blame for being attacked or that they were 'fair game'.
"The prosecution argued that the complainant did not have the capacity to consent, but the jury found they could not be sure, beyond reasonable doubt, that the complainant did not consent, or that Evans thought she was not consenting.
"I would like to thank the complainant for her courage throughout this case, and the previous trial."
North Wales Police said yesterday it was investigating a case of the woman being named on social media.
Superintendent Jo Williams said: “We acknowledge the decision of the jury.
“We are aware that once again the complainant 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 complainant has the right to life long anonymity."
She added: “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.”
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