Police issue warning to social media users after man appears in court charged with abduction and sexual assault of girl

Social media users are being urged to 'think before you post' after a man appeared in court following an alleged incident involving a six-year-old girl. Lewis Charles Jones, of no fixed address but based in Liverpool, appeared at Manchester Magistrates Court on Saturday (August 20).

It followed an incident which is alleged to have taken place in Droylsden, Tameside, at around 4.10pm last Wednesday. Greater Manchester Police confirmed at the weekend that Mr Jones, 23, had been charged with two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of abduction.

Now, police have fired a warning to members of the public about their conduct on social media in connection with the case. Users of social media are being reminded that victims of sex offences have a right to anonymity.

READ MORE: 'Devoted' dad Thomas Campbell suffered 'quite horrific' injuries, say murder squad detectives - as they hunt suspect and missing Rolex watches

GMP says that details breaching that anonymity have been posted online by some members of the public. It is warning web users they risk facing prosecution for naming the victims of sex offences in such a way.

In a post on Twitter this afternoon (Monday), a spokesperson for GMP Tameside South and West said: "We’re aware some social media users have been sharing the details of the victim of the serious incident in Droylsden last week. Victims of sex offences have a right to anonymity and it's a criminal offence to disclose info that may identify them. Please think before you post."

Mr Jones spoke to confirm his name and where he was based at a brief hearing in court on Saturday morning. The case is due to be heard at Manchester Crown Court next month.

Detective Superintendent Richard Hunt, of