U.K. Blogger Facing Obscenity Charge for Rape Story

NEWCASTLE, England — A man is being prosecuted on charges of publishing a story on the Internet detailing the kidnap, torture, mutilation and murder of the U.K. pop group Girls Aloud.

Darryn Walker, 35, will appear before a judge later this month to face charges of writing and posting the blog on a fantasy porn website. The case is the first test of the 1959 Obscene Publications Act since the rise of the Internet, and is one of the few involving written words. The Act, which has never been updated, makes it illegal to publish material that tends to "deprave and corrupt" those reading or viewing it. The act was used in 1960 to prosecute Penguin Books for publishing D.H. Lawrence's novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover."

The blog article was headlined "Girls (Scream) Aloud" and reportedly described in detail the rape and killing of the girl group. Although the website is hosted elsewhere, prosecution was based on the alleged author being identified as a British citizen living in the UK.

The Internet Watch Foundation, an independent group dedicated to finding and reporting illegal online content, discovered the blog last year and informed the Crown Prosecution Service. Walker was arrested in February at his home in South Shields, near Newcastle, by officers from Scotland Yard's Obscene Publications Unit.

Walker was charged with the publication of an obscene article on July 10, and entered no plea before South Tyneside Magistrates, where he was granted unconditional bail. He is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court later this month.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said it was unusual to see a prosecution which did not involve images. She said, "The vast majority of prosecutions brought under the Obscene Publications Act have related to images; be they photographs, computer-generated images or videos. It is very unusual to be prosecuted for a case involving the written word."

Girls Aloud became well-known in the U.K. in 2002 after appearing on a reality music show. They have had a record-breaking 18 consecutive top 10 singles. The group is made up of Nadine Coyle, Sarah Harding, Nicola Roberts, Kimberley Walsh and Cheryl Cole, who is now a judge on another reality music show.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

European Commission to Assess Pornhub, XVideos, XNXX Compliance With Digital Services Act

The European Commission plans to conduct a study to determine how well adult sites Pornhub, XVideos and XNXX are addressing illegal content and other potential harms under the EU’s Digital Services Act.

German Higher Court Upholds Ban on PornHub, YouPorn

The Higher Administrative Court of Rhineland-Palatinate on Thursday upheld a “network ban” on Aylo-owned adult sites Pornhub and YouPorn for failing to comply with German age verification regulations.

Alabama Notifying Adult Sites of New Tax Set to Take Effect Sept. 1

The Alabama Department of Revenue has begun sending notices to adult site operators about a new 10% tax on their revenues, set to be enforced starting Sept. 1.

Ondato, CCBill Announce Strategic Partnership for Global High-Risk Market

Age and identity verification firm Ondato and payment processor CCBill have formed a strategic partnership to serve the global high-risk market.

Ofcom Investigates 4 More Adult Companies for OSA Compliance

U.K. media regulator Ofcom has launched investigations into whether four companies operating adult websites have implemented requisite age assurance measures under the Online Safety Act, the agency announced Thursday.

Taylor Nicole Launches New Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Creator Taylor Nicole has launched her new official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Adult Networking Platform SpicyGigs.com Launches

SpicyGigs, a new adult industry networking platform, has officially launched.

Pineapple Support to Host 'Cream Pie Challenge' Fundraiser

Pineapple Support is hosting its Cream Pie Challenge through August to raise funds for mental health services for industry performers.

Kyrgyzstan President Signs Measure Outlawing Internet Porn

President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday signed into law legislation outlawing online adult content in the country.

NC Legislature Overrides Veto of Extreme Anti-Adult Industry Bill

The North Carolina state legislature on Tuesday voted to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto of a bill imposing regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most creators and content.

Show More