South Yorkshire Police are investigating a sick rape tweet targeting Olympic star Jessica Ennis-Hill
It came after she told Sheffield United bosses to remove her name from a stand if the club re-sign rapist footballer Ched Evans.
Vile Twitter trolls lashed out at the gold medal winner following her comments after the shamed striker returned to training following his release from a two-and-a-half year jail term.
One tweet, sent from the handle @RickieLambert07 but later deleted, read: "Jessica Ennis-Hill is a stupid c***.
"Saying she will remove her name if Ched Evens (sic) is signed. I hope he rapes her."
The post was roundly condemned by other Twitter users, however its author was unrepentant, citing "freedom of speech" as a defence.
Author and DJ Dave Haslam called the poster "scum," but in response the troll wrote: "Freedom of speech mate, I'll say what I want, when I want!"
Another warped Twitter user going by the handle @CoreyOC21 sent a message direct to Ennis-Hill's own account, which read: "Hope Ched Evans gets you you little slut."
However, Freddie Johnson replied to say: "I'm reporting this to the police.
"Then we'll see if you think tweeting things like this is clever."
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said officers were looking into the tweets.
The threats came after Sheffield-born Ennis-Hill's intervention in the Evans furore yesterday.
The 28-year-old Blades fan issued a statement after it emerged Evans, 25, had resumed training with his former club.
The mum-of-two said: "I believe being a role model to young people is a huge honour and those in positions of influence in communities should respect the role they play in young people's lives and set a good example.
"If Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs."
Today David Cameron said he "understood" why the Olympic golden girl opposed the striker's return to professional football.
The Prime Minister said: "I quite understand why she's said what she's said and done what's she done."
Yesterday Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg claimed Evans 'could play abroad for a while' - but should not be allowed to train with the Blades.
The Liberal Democrat leader, a Sheffield MP, said if it was his decision he would not have let him return to United.
Speaking on his LBC radio show, he added: "He maybe could play for a club abroad for a while before coming back.
"The point is he played for Sheffield United when the offence took place and when he was convicted, so there is a very particular decision for the club that had him on their books when he committed that offence.
"Of course people need to move on in their lives and of course when you have done your time, you have done your time."
Sheffield United insist no decision has yet been taken on whether to offer Evans a contract.
The Bramall Lane stand was re-named after Ennis-Hill following her heptathlon triumph at London 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment