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| Richard Madeley in warning to Twitter trolls over rape threats | Richard Madeley in warning to Twitter trolls over rape threats |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| TV presenter Richard Madeley has said people who sent "sick rape threats" to his daughter are in "deep trouble". | TV presenter Richard Madeley has said people who sent "sick rape threats" to his daughter are in "deep trouble". |
| Chloe Madeley received threats on Twitter after defending her mother, Judy Finnigan, who caused controversy when she described a rape committed by footballer Ched Evans as "non-violent". | |
| Mr Madeley tweeted "prosecution awaits" for the culprits but refused to comment on whether he had contacted police. | |
| The Met Police said they were not aware of any complaint about the matter. | |
| However, a spokesman added it could have been reported to any police force. | |
| Evans was jailed for five years in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman, but has served half of his sentence and is expected to be released on Friday. | Evans was jailed for five years in 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman, but has served half of his sentence and is expected to be released on Friday. |
| 'Horrendous crime' | |
| Speaking on Monday about the possibility that Evans could return to professional football, Ms Finnigan said the 25-year-old had "served his time". | Speaking on Monday about the possibility that Evans could return to professional football, Ms Finnigan said the 25-year-old had "served his time". |
| On ITV's Loose Women, she said: "The rape - and I am not, please, by any means minimising any kind of rape - but the rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person." | On ITV's Loose Women, she said: "The rape - and I am not, please, by any means minimising any kind of rape - but the rape was not violent, he didn't cause any bodily harm to the person." |
| "It was unpleasant, in a hotel room I believe, and she [the victim] had far too much to drink." | |
| Following criticism of her comments on Twitter, Ms Finnigan said: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence that I may have caused as a result of the wording I used." | |
| In a statement, she said she was discussing what should happen to prisoners after their release. | |
| "I absolutely wasn't suggesting that rape was anything other than an horrendous crime," she added. | |
| Reacting to the situation with her own Twitter post, Miss Madeley wrote: "To believe my mother is pro 'non violent rape' is ridiculous and I am shocked that so many people have jumped to this conclusion. | |
| "To the trolls wishing rape on me, stop, you are utterly pathetic." | |
| Football return? | |
| One of those who criticised Ms Finnigan was Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, who said: "No bodily injury has little relevance; it doesn't have to do physical damage to be rape and it is the essence of violence to force himself upon her." | |
| Evans was not sacked by his club, Sheffield United, when he was sent to prison - but the club allowed his contract to expire in June 2012. | |
| Current manager Nigel Clough has confirmed he has spoken to club officials about the possibility of Evans returning after his release. | |
| "We've had one or two discussions and the owners will make a decision on it," Clough told BBC Radio Sheffield. | |
| "It is above a football level. If he comes back then we [the coaching staff] will decide whether to play him or not." |