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Two charged over Caroline Criado-Perez tweets Two charged over Caroline Criado-Perez tweets
(35 minutes later)
A man and a woman are to be charged with improper use of a communications network in relation to abusive tweets to the campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, who led calls for a woman's portrait to be featured on a banknote. A man and a woman have been charged with improper use of a communications network in relation to abusive tweets to the campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, who led calls for a Jane Austen's portrait to be featured on a banknote.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would take no further action over similar messages allegedly sent to the MP Stella Creasy, as it would not be in the public interest due to the age of the tweeter. But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it would take no further action over similar messages allegedly sent to the MP Stella Creasy, as it would not be in the public interest due to the age of the tweeter.
Twitter faced questions about the way it handled a sustained campaign of abuse against the two women, who became the public faces of a campaign to get a portrait of Jane Austen on the £10 note. Both women tweeted to say they were angry at having heard about the CPS's decisions through news reports. Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, said: "Thank you kind journalists sharing with me press statement from CPS re Twitter abuse as they don't feel need to speak to me. #victimsfirst."
Criado-Perez said: "Well that's pretty awesome. CPS informing press about charges ahead of me. About the level of victim support I've grown to expect."
thank you kind journalists sharing with me press statement from CPS re twitter abuse as they don't feel need to speak to me..#victimsfirst
Isabella Sorley, 23, from Newcastle, and John Nimmo, 25, from South Shields, have been charged with improper use of a communications network under section 127 of the Communications Act.
Twitter had faced questions about the way it handled the sustained campaign of abuse against the two women, who became the public faces of a campaign to get a portrait of Jane Austen on the £10 note.
Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said: "Following early consultation with the police, the CPS has been asked to make a charging decision in respect of five suspects whom it is alleged sent offensive tweets to Stella Creasy MP and journalist and campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez.Baljit Ubhey, chief crown prosecutor for CPS London, said: "Following early consultation with the police, the CPS has been asked to make a charging decision in respect of five suspects whom it is alleged sent offensive tweets to Stella Creasy MP and journalist and campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez.
"We reviewed these cases in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors and guidelines issued by the director of public prosecutions on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media. After careful consideration of all the available evidence, the CPS has today authorised the Metropolitan police to charge two suspects in relation to messages allegedly sent to Caroline Criado-Perez.""We reviewed these cases in accordance with the code for crown prosecutors and guidelines issued by the director of public prosecutions on prosecuting cases involving communications sent via social media. After careful consideration of all the available evidence, the CPS has today authorised the Metropolitan police to charge two suspects in relation to messages allegedly sent to Caroline Criado-Perez."
Isabella Sorley, 23, from Newcastle, and John Nimmo, 25, from South Shields, have been charged with improper use of a communications network under section 127 of the Communications Act.
Ubhey continued: "We have also determined there is insufficient evidence to support a prosecution in respect of one suspect, whom it was alleged also sent offensive messages to Ms Criado-Perez, and have advised the police that no further action should be taken as the high threshold for prosecution has not been met.Ubhey continued: "We have also determined there is insufficient evidence to support a prosecution in respect of one suspect, whom it was alleged also sent offensive messages to Ms Criado-Perez, and have advised the police that no further action should be taken as the high threshold for prosecution has not been met.
"In respect of one other suspect, who allegedly sent offensive messages to Stella Creasy MP, we determined that although there was sufficient evidence that an offence had been committed under section 127 of the Communications Act, it would not be in the public interest to prosecute, having applied the director's guidelines and having particular regard to the young age and personal circumstances of the suspect."In respect of one other suspect, who allegedly sent offensive messages to Stella Creasy MP, we determined that although there was sufficient evidence that an offence had been committed under section 127 of the Communications Act, it would not be in the public interest to prosecute, having applied the director's guidelines and having particular regard to the young age and personal circumstances of the suspect.
"In relation to the fifth suspect, we have asked the police to carry out further investigation before a charging decision can be made. We have written to both Ms Creasy and Ms Criado-Perez to inform them of these decisions.""In relation to the fifth suspect, we have asked the police to carry out further investigation before a charging decision can be made. We have written to both Ms Creasy and Ms Criado-Perez to inform them of these decisions."
Sorley and Nimmo will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 7 January.Sorley and Nimmo will appear at Westminster magistrates court on 7 January.
Criado-Perez said in a tweet: "Well that's pretty awesome. CPS informing press about charges ahead of me. About the level of victim support I've grown to expect."
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