Eleanor Williams

[phat_chris]

Jailed today for 9 counts of perverting the course of justice in relation to false claims of being groomed and trafficked for sex by Asian gangs in Barrow. The lives of several young men have been destroyed by these accusations. 2 of them even attempted to commit suicide. Businesses have been ruined. Families, property and communities, reporters and police officers and their families have been threatened or attacked due to the shockingly unresponsible way the initial accusations were reported in sections of the media. Perhaps of equal concern, as pointed out by the presiding judge, is real victims could be put off from coming forward in the future for fear of not being believed. The sentence for all of this? 8.5 years.

A mentally unwell young woman has ruined hers and many others lives with no known motive. The judge did make it clear that the length of sentence was largely a result of the consequences felt by others for these accusations. Had the media not printed the names of the accused men then their lives may not have been so devastatingly affected. Had the media not speculated on a police cover up, then maybe those officers and their families would not have been threatened. Communities may not have been attacked. In fact, without all this collateral damage Eleanor herself would have a shorter sentence.

I think a conversation needs to be had about media reporting. Perhaps preventing the naming of people accused of a crime until after a guilty verdict is given? Perhaps consequences for speculative, unfounded articles need to be handed out which could encourage more fact-based reporting and thorough investigative journalism. I am fully in favour of a free press, but freedom of speech does not mean free from consequences.

[Sam_Brown]

Disgusting. Not just because of the damage she’s done to the innocent men in this situation. But also the damage she’s done to women who have legitimately been abused. No doubt this will be used as an example by certain types to try and discredit women coming forward with claims in the future.

[Weybridge]

I think a conversation needs to be had about media reporting. Perhaps preventing the naming of people accused of a crime until after a guilty verdict is given? Perhaps consequences for speculative, unfounded articles need to be handed out which could encourage more fact-based reporting and thorough investigative journalism. I am fully in favour of a free press, but freedom of speech does not mean free from consequences.

Totally agree. Sadly though, there are too many outlets (and within that, all social media sites too) which operate with the policy of 'better first than right'. Umpteen million people reading it on Twitter dwarfs even the highest newspaper circulation.

Its not long before everyone knows the name of the alleged suspect (and victim) - and any publication which steadfastly refuses to put it in print then begins to look incompetent rather than principled.

But you're absolutely right, its a shameful practice.

[Blue Walter]

I think the problem has deeper ramifications than already quoted. Sex trafficking of white women by Asian gangs has been quite prolific in the North, such as in Rotherham. This went on much longer than it should have done because the police were worried about being embroiled in a racist argument. The problem then was the police trod too lightly in following up complaints and reported incidents due to the racist element. This meant a lot of young women were abused by these gangs and virtually abandoned by the authorities. Now, with this particular case, their job has become much harder because of the chance that other young women might try and get revenge or make racially activated claims in the same way. This will now mean the police will, on one hand, be concerned about becoming embroiled with racist accusations. Or, on the other hand, not give a potential victim the protection and attention the are entitled to because of these concerns.