Does a victims name have to be published in newspaper?

joe565

antrobus wrote: »

Section 46 of the Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act 1999 gives the court the power to impose reporting restrictions in respect of any adult witness that would otherwise suffer from "fear or distress" if they were identified. But obviously that isn't going to happen unless the witness in question approaches the CPS and asks for it, and puts up a convincing argument. And it would need to be convincing as there is a presumption that 'justice must be seen to be done'.

Since this case is "ongoing in the courts" it's (probably) too late for that kind of thing.

Thanks, I might contact them for her, worth a try! Other papers never published her name and just said a woman was conned!

hollydays

joe565 wrote: »

Yes mentally I don't think she's strong enough to give evidence now

Witness support is another organization that can support her- assuming he is going for trial - not just to be sentenced.
She should definitely speak to them

https://www.victimsupport.org.uk

And the police officer who's handling her case.
It is a free press and I don't think the paper have done anything wrong, she should have aired her concerns long before this, to see if she could get more support but that's not easy when you are suffering mental anguish.

ShadowPuma

Question? Is the second paper article online? If so immediately ask the paper to take it down and remove her name and details.

joe565

No ShadowPuma its not online but in the paper!

hollydays

ShadowPuma wrote: »

Question? Is the second paper article online? If so immediately ask the paper to take it down and remove her name and details.

They haven't broken the law.

InsideInsurance

What issue is it with others knowing she was conned/ a victim of fraud? Its not as if they are mixing things up and saying she was the accused.

Our legal system is intended to, as far as is reasonably possible, be open and public. There are special circumstances where people can have their identity protected but their need for privacy must be weighed against the principle of openness.

I am not sure what the argument is that you feel she will be so badly damaged by having her name published that the openness of the legal system should be compromised for her.

cherylsurrey

I would just contact the paper/s involved and ask them to take her name out of the online versions. The printed papers will be forgotten about very quickly. The online versions are the problem, as when people google her name, maybe to see if she's on facebook etc, the newspaper story will appear for many years to come.


I am assuming she does not want her name published due to being embarrassed over being scammed, I can understand how she feels, I would feel the same, but most people will just feel sympathetic even if this story does come up.

ShadowPuma

hollydays wrote: »

They haven't broken the law.

Not saying they have. But deal with the most long standing issue first: The easily accessible one via online.

And I said "ask" not demand.

joe565

Just thought I'd update, the fraudster has pleaded guilty to the charges, she's relieved to get closure.