Online victim wins right to identify trolls

A MOTHER who was tormented with abusive messages by so-called online trolls has won backing from the High Court to have the identities of those who targeted her disclosed.

Nicola Brookes, 45, faced “vicious and depraved” abuse on Facebook after she posted a comment supporting former X Factor contestant Frankie Cocozza when he left the show last year.

Her abusers set up a fake Facebook profile in her name, using her picture to post explicit comments and lure young girls, her solicitor, Rupinder Bains, said.

Frustrated at what she considered a lack of action by her local police force, Sussex Police, to help track the perpetrators, Ms Brookes took legal action.

She took her case to the High Court in London where an order was granted last week compelling Facebook to reveal the IP addresses and other information of the people who tormented her.

Once they have been identified, Ms Brookes, a single mother who suffers from Crohn’s disease, intends to bring a private prosecution against the abusers.

Ms Brookes, from Brighton, said yesterday: “I’m going for the strongest possible prosecution against these people.

“I want them exposed. They exposed me and they invaded my life.”