Men and teens cautioned for naming woman at centre of Ched Evans rape trials

North Wales Police revealed today that 10 men and teenagers, aged between 16 and 23 and from Sheffield, Derbyshire and Birmingham, have received official police cautions for breaking the law by naming the woman.

Victims and alleged victims of sex offences are entitled to life-long anonymity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

The woman’s name was published on social media when Chesterfield footballer Ched Evans, who is being linked to a return to his former club, Sheffield United, was on trial accused of rape.

The 28-year-old striker was sentenced to five years behind bars in April 2012 after being found guilty of raping a woman in a hotel room in Rhyll, North Wales, on a night out.

He always maintained his innocence, claiming that sex with the woman was consensual, and his conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal in April 2016.

In a re-trial that October he was found not guilty.

He has been playing for Chesterfield since June 2016.

Temporary Superintendent Jason Devonport, of North Wales Police, said today: “Detectives have investigated the naming of the victim in the Chedwyn Evans case since the conviction was quashed.

“Ten people were identified during the investigation. All admitted the offence and all have received cautions for Publishing the Name of a Sex Victim Contrary to the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

“Relevant parties have been informed and the matter is now closed.

“This type of offence is fortunately rare however I’d like to emphasise all Police Forces take offences of this nature very seriously and we will vigorously pursue and prosecute those who don’t respect victims anonymity.”