Peaches Geldof Twitter gaffe: 'Apologies and lesson learned' says Peaches after identifying Ian Watkins' victims

 
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29 November 2013
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Peaches Geldof was today forced to make a humiliating apology over Twitter posts that could identify victims of paedophile rock star Ian Watkins.

The daughter of Boomtown Rats star Bob Geldof is facing possible criminal charges for naming the two mothers whose babies were abused by the Lostprophets singer.

Today the mother of two apologised, explaining that she assumed the names were already “public knowledge”.

“I deleted my Tweets, however, and apologise for any offence caused as at the time of tweeting had [sic] only seen everyone tweeting the names at me so had assumed as they were also up on news websites and the crown courts public file that they had been released for public knowledge,” she explained.

“Will check my facts before tweeting next time. Apologies and lesson learned,” she added.

But Miss Geldof, 24, also ranted about the incident, suggesting there should be a debate about granting anonymity in sex abuse cases.

This morning, she wrote on Twitter: “Half of twitter had tweeted out the names also aside from my (now deleted) tweet.

“The babies will most probably be given new identities to protect them from future abuse from other paedos who know who they are / their names from the videos Watkins uploaded to paedo websites. The question of whether or not to give anonymity to criminals in cases like this will go on forever. However these women and Watkins will be getting three meals a day, a double bed, cable TV etc all funded by the taxpayer alongside not being named apparently.”

A court order was made to grant lifelong anonymity to the children but Miss Geldof allegedly broke the order by naming their mothers to her 161,000 followers on Twitter.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Peter Doyle, of South Wales Police, said: “We are aware that the names of Ian Watkins’ co-defendants have been published on social media channels.

“We are currently in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service regarding the matter and will take action if appropriate.

“Victims of sexual abuse have a right to anonymity in order to protect their future welfare and we urge those discussing the issues raised online to be careful about using information that identifies victims in cases like this.”

Watkins was branded a “determined and committed paedophile” after he pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a string of sex offences, including attempted rape of a baby.

The 36-year-old, from Pontypridd, South Wales, plotted the abuse with the two mothers in a series of text and internet messages. He will be sentenced with the two women at Cardiff crown court on December 18.

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