Footballer Rape: Probe Into 'Disturbing' Tweets

Police in North Wales have confirmed that they are investigating the naming on Twitter of footballer Ched Evans' rape victim.

The force says it will deal "robustly" with any criminal offences that have been committed.

Ched Evans was jailed for five years on Friday after being convicted of raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room near Rhyl.

Hundreds of messages have been posted on Twitter abusing his victim and calling for the footballer to be freed.

Many have named the woman despite the fact that she is guaranteed under the law to lifetime anonymity.

DCI Steve Williams, of North Wales police, said: "We find this to be profoundly disturbing and are determined to seek out those responsible.

"I would advise people who post such status and tweets to consider the implications of their action and those who add comments to appreciate that they may be condoning such behaviour and contributing to the continued trauma upon this young woman."

Sheffield United Football Club has launched its own investigation, which focuses on comments made by their reserve team player Connor Brown.

Brown, 19, sparked fury by posting a series of insults about the victim on the social networking site.

They have since been taken down.

Rape support centres and victim support organisations for victims of sexual abuse have condemned the online abuse.

Holly Dustin of End Violence Against Women said she was deeply disturbed that someone who had gone through the trauma of giving evidence in a trial and had been promised anonymity should be exposed in social media.

She said: "She has also received really nasty and vile abuse and we are urging to the Home Secretary to review the protection of anonymity as well as the harassment many women experience online.

"We want to see football clubs and the Football Association take a strong stance against sexism in the sport.

"We also want the Government to take concerted action to address attitudes that condone violence."