Nine people pleaded guilty on Monday to revealing online the identity of a woman raped by footballer Ched Evans, in a high-profile case highlighting potential misuse of social networks.
They were ordered to pay compensation of £624 each to the victim, the maximum penalty associated with the charge under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 1992.
The victim’s name was circulated on Twitter and Facebook after Evans’ conviction in April at Caernarfon Crown Court.
Six people from Rhyl and Prestatyn in north Wales, aged 18 to 27, pleaded guilty on Monday — Benjamin Davies, 27, of Elwy Drive, Rhyl, Michael Ashton, 21, of Gwelfor Terrace, Llanddulas, Dominic Green, 23, of Oakwood Road, Rhyl, Craig MacDonald, 26, of Greenacres Caravan Park, Prestatyn, Holly Price, 25, of Derwent Close, Prestatyn, and Gemma Thomas, 18, of South Drive, Rhyl.
Three people aged 22 to 26 from Sheffield also pleaded guilty — Paul Devine, 26, of Buchanan Road, Daniel Cardwell, 25, of White Lane, Chapeltown, and Shaun Littler, 22, of Ashbourne Road, Handsworth.
All claimed they were not aware that naming a rape victim was a criminal offence as the law gives victims and alleged victims of sexual offences anonymity for life.
The judge, Andrew Shaw, said each of the defendants — who included friends and relatives of Evans — had identified the victim and some had added abuse, with one accusing her of “crying rape” and others calling her a “slag”.
“You did so without proper knowledge of the facts and without any heed of the feelings of the victim,” he said, adding that the name was posted with “deliberate malice”.
“Your actions have re-victimised this woman again,” he said.
Prosecuting lawyer Nita Dowell said the victim was subjected to abuse after the offending messages, while North Wales police received complaints from the public and groups such as Rape Crisis.
An additional woman denied the charge and was granted bail until 21 January.
Ex-Sheffield United and Wales striker Evans was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in Rhyl.
He admitted having sex with her, but the woman told the jury that she could not remember the incident and the prosecution said that she was too drunk to consent.
Evans is due to appeal against his conviction at the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.
Nine plead guilty to naming rape victim online
