Nicola Brookes had posted a comment in support of X-Factor UK contestant Frankie Cocozza: “Keep your chin up, Frankie, they’ll move onto someone else soon.” The result was an abusive response including false accounts in her name, accusations of being a pedophile and drug user, and abuse targeted at her daughter.
Brookes complained to the police but was disappointed in the response. She took her case to the high court in London and won a landmark, precedent-setting ruling. “Facebook must now reveal the names, email and IP addresses of those behind the abusive messages, showing who they are and where they posted from,” said the Guardian at the time.
Those details have led to the arrest of a 32-year old policeman from Bourneville, Birmingham, who has now been bailed until 19 October. He has not been suspended. The police have stressed that he is not a frontline officer, nor were police computer systems involved.
Brookes is relieved that someone has been arrested, but remains angry and disgusted at her treatment from the Facebook trolls – she has received more than 3000 insults through social networks. “We need something that protects people because the system that Facebook has in place does not work. I have been trolled relentlessly,” she commented. Sussex police have now asked Facebook to remove any abusive posts about her.
Facebook says it respects its legal obligations and works with law enforcement where justified. It will release IP addresses and subscriber information provided the request is supported by a court order.