Footballer Evans’s rape victim named again by online abusers

The victim has been given a new identity and moved away from her home in the wake of abuse following the case.

Evans was convicted by a jury of raping her in a hotel in 2011 in Rhyl, North Wales.

Nine people were prosecuted for naming her online in direct breach of laws which protect the identity of rape victims.

But online trolls have claimed to have revealed her new identity, while others have repeated her original name.

Last night North Wales Police said it was not commenting.

Evans was released from prison on Friday having served half of a five-year sentence.

Executives at Sheffield United have come under heavy pressure not to re-sign the 25-year-old.

The footballer admitted having sex with the woman, who had been drinking, but she told the jury she had no memory of the incident. Prosecutors said she could not have consented.

In a newspaper interview, Evans has said he is “ashamed” of his actions in cheating on his girlfried, saying it was “unforgivable”.

But he has expressed no remorse of his crime as he continues to protest his innocence, describing the sex as “consensual”.

His partner Natasha Massey has stood by him and mounted a public campaign in his defence.

Campaigners have reacted angrily to his denials and have urged the Yorkshire club not to employ him again.

Many Blades fans have called for Evans to be rehabilitated but almost 150,000 people have signed an online petition urging the Bramall Lane club not to welcome him back.

TV presenter Judy Finnigan sparked controversy by claiming his crime was “non violent” and did not cause “bodily harm” during a panel discussion on ITV’s Loose Women.

Her comments caused a wave of criticism, abuse on social media and also sparked threats against her daughter, Chloe.

Evans’ case is due to be reviewed by the Criminal Case Review Commission in the coming weeks.