Ched Evans rape case: Police at Sky over victim naming

Wales and Sheffield United striker Ched Evans was jailed for five years

Sky News staff have met police after the channel published the name of the teenager raped by Wales footballer Ched Evans.

Officers from North Wales Police formally interviewed staff in London as part of their continuing investigation.

The case will be referred to the Crown Prosecution Service and the Attorney General's office.

Sky said a technical error meant the victim's name was broadcast "for a fraction of a second".

The broadcaster added that it was "visible only when viewed in slow motion."

It said staff had met with police on Thursday to "explain and demonstrate" the technical error.

"We apologised to the victim and her family as soon as we became aware of the error and are co-operating fully with the police," Sky added in a statement.

Det Ch Insp Steve Williams confirmed Sky News had fully co-operated with the investigation.

<bold>Twitter naming</bold>

Sheffield United and Wales 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 near Rhyl, Denbighshire.

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.

Four men from the Sheffield area were arrested on 9 May in connection with the alleged naming on Twitter of the victim.

One man was arrested on suspicion of malicious communication, another on suspicion of malicious communication and under Section 5 of the Sexual Offences Amendments Act.

The other two were arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Seventeen arrests have been made throughout north Wales and south Yorkshire during the investigation.

North Wales Police previously described the alleged online comments as "profoundly disturbing" and said they contributed to the victim's "continued trauma".

Rape and other sexual assault victims are guaranteed the legal right to lifetime anonymity.

The force said it was reminding people that anyone who publishes a victim's identity will be subject to investigation and possible criminal proceedings.