BBC news chief denies charge over alleged naming of Rotherham child sex abuse victim

103823394_mediaitem103823393 A BBC news chief has appeared in court to deny naming a Rotherham child sexual abuse victim.

Arif Ansari (43), head of news at BBC Asian Network, pleaded not guilty at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday).

He was charged with publishing the name of a sex victim under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992.

BBC Asian Network: Arif Ansari denies naming abuse victim

BBC Asian Network’s head of news has denied naming a victim of the Rotherham sex abuse scandal.

Arif Ansari was charged under the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992 after a live news bulletin in February.

During the broadcast, one of his reporters aired the victim’s name, believing it was a pseudonym.