Radio reporter "deeply sorry" after naming Rotherham child sex abuse victim

A REPORTER who broadcast a child sexual exploitation victim's name on a live radio news bulletin has told a court he is “deeply sorry” for the error.

A REPORTER who broadcast a child sexual exploitation victim's name on a live radio news bulletin has told a court he is “deeply sorry” for the error.

Rickin Majithia, who worked for BBC Asian Network, said he had been “horrified” to learn ten minutes after the bulletin that the name he had given was the woman’s real name when he had thought a pseudonym was being used for her in court.

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Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard today that the CSE victim had gone into “full meltdown” and felt “sick and worried” after she heard the live report naming her.

Victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong anonymity under law.

Arif Ansari (43), head of news at BBC Asian Network, is on trial accused of publishing the name of a sex crime victim under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The bulletin was broadcast on the BBC Asian Network last February.

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Prosecutor Mr Neil Usher told the court it was the first time Mr Majithia had filed a report from a court.

Giving evidence, Mr Majithia said he had found out about the error when he received a call from youth worker Jayne Senior, who told him he had used the victim’s real name.

Mr Majithia said: “I was horrified, I am horrified and I am deeply sorry to the victim and her family.

“It’s something I will regret until the day I die.”

Mr Majithia emailed the victim after her name was broadcast, apologising for the mistake.

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In it, he said: “I am deeply sorry for using your name on air.

“I wrongly thought that in court you were using a pseudonym.

“I know I should have checked this before broadcast.”

The CSE victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said in a statement read to the court earlier: “I heard the presenter use my full name.

“I went into full meltdown, panicking and worrying, and I didn't hear anything else that was said.

“It instantly made me feel sick and worried about what would happen in the future.”

Ansari, of BBC Portland Place, London, denies the offence.

The trial continues.

 

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