MeToo sex claim woman fights to scrap libel case as 'it deters other victims'

A WOMAN who made #MeToo claims on social media has been hit with a £70,000 libel lawsuit by a man she said had attacked her.

-  Richard Gittins

But Nina Cresswell, 33, is trying to create a legal first by arguing people who "discuss their experiences of sexual violence" online should be able to claim a "public interest" protection from being sued by those they accuse.

Ms Cresswell claimed that Glasgow-based tattoo artist Billy Hay tried to rape her after they met in a nightclub while she was a student in Sunderland in 2010.

She said she reported the incident to the police, who took the matter no further.

Then, 10 years later in 2020, she took to Twitter, Facebook and Instagram with her account of what allegedly happened.

Mr Hay admitted an "ill-judged offer of a kiss" to Ms Cresswell outside the club, but strongly denied carrying out a sex attack, saying the moment was "awkward and but embarrassing" went no further.

He is now suing, £70,000 claiming libel damages for the serious negative impact he said the online posts have had on his reputation.