A man accused of revealing the identity of the woman at the centre of a high-profile rugby rape trial on social media is to be prosecuted.

The Public Prosecution Service in Northern Ireland said the man, who has not been named, was to face a charge of breaching the lifetime ban on reporting the identity of an alleged victim. He faces a fine of up to £5,000 if convicted.



The Ulster rugby players Paddy Jackson and Stuart Olding were both cleared of rape at Belfast crown court in March following a nine-week trial. They had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Jackson’s home following a night out in Belfast in June 2016.



Complainants in rape cases are entitled to lifelong anonymity under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 and it is an offence to publish their identity.



The PPS said in a statement: “The Public Prosecution Service can confirm it has taken a decision to prosecute one person in relation to an allegation of breaching the anonymity granted to a complainant in a high-profile rape trial.



“After careful consideration of all the evidence, it has been decided to prosecute that person on one charge of breaching the lifetime ban on reporting the identity of an alleged victim.



“A second suspect reported separately by police for allegedly breaching the same complainant’s identity will not be prosecuted after it was concluded there was insufficient evidence to prove any offence has been committed.



“In taking these decisions, senior prosecutors considered evidence received from police in relation to social media posts which were alleged to have potentially identified a complainant involved in trial proceedings which ran at Belfast crown court from January to March 2018.”



The trial of the sports stars generated intense debate on social media, and lawyers drew the judge’s attention to online comments they felt endangered the defendants’ right to a fair trial several times.



Two other defendants, Blane McIlroy, accused of exposure, and Rory Harrison, accused of perverting the course of justice and withholding information, were also acquitted.



After delivering its unanimous verdicts, the jury was told by the judge Patricia Smyth: “This has probably been the most difficult trial that any jury in Northern Ireland has ever been asked to adjudicate on.”

