Nine arrested over naming of rape victim

Nine more people have been arrested as part of the investigation into the naming on Twitter of the victim in footballer Ched Evans's rape case.

Five men and four women, all from North Wales, were arrested and are in custody for questioning at St Asaph police station, North Wales Police said. It brings the total number of arrests to 12 after three men were arrested in South Yorkshire last week and later released on bail.

Those held have been arrested on suspicion of malicious communication or under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, or on suspicion of both offences, the force added.

Sheffield United striker Evans was jailed for five years at Caernarfon Crown Court on 20 April for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room. He denied the allegation and plans to appeal against the verdict.

Following the conclusion of the trial, the victim of the rape was allegedly named and subjected to abuse on Twitter and other websites.