Suspended jail sentence for Goldthorpe woman who named alleged sex abuse victims on Facebook

Ann Marie Evans (27), of Straight Lane, admitted two offences under the Malicious Communications Act and two under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act at Sheffield Magistrates Court last month and was sentenced today to six weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months

The offences had been investigated by officers from the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood.

Evans identified two women automatically granted anonymity and a third she wrongly thought was a victim of a sex crime.

She was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work, and must pay £100 compensation to each woman.

NCA senior investigating officer Philip Marshall said: “Victims are our first priority in Operation Stovewood.

“We recognise it takes an awful lot of bravery to come forward in these situations, and those who do are rightly offered protection by law.

“Anyone who seeks to intimidate victims or undermine our investigations in this way should know that we will take action against them.”

Liz Fell, specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “By publishing these names, Ann Marie Evans identified those who have a right to lifelong anonymity and caused them considerable distress.  

“We want to reassure victims that where there is sufficient evidence, we will prosecute those who breach the automatic legal right to anonymity.”