Coronation Street producers have issued an apology over a content error made during one of this week’s episodes.
On Monday night, Bethany Platt gave evidence in court regarding her rape and sexual assault by Nathan Curtis and other men who groomed her.
On the stand, Bethany detailed the suffering and abuse she endured at the hands of her attackers.
“They thought they could do whatever they wanted to us, that we would be too scared to do anything but they were wrong,” she said.
However, during the scene, a sketch artist can be seen drawing a picture of Bethany while she gives evidence.
British law states that court artists are only permitted to draw their sketches from memory outside the courtroom.
Similarly, rape and sexual assault victims are automatically given anonymity under UK legislation – a point which Twitter picked up on during the show’s broadcast.
Erm, why would a court artist be sketching Bethany? She's automatically entitled to anonymity. #Corrie #CoronationStreet
— Michelle Finney (@michellejfinney) October 2, 2017
@itvcorrie #corrie Court artists are forbidden by law to draw in court, only allowed to take notes and Bethany's id is protected.
— Colette Hume (@ColetteNews) October 2, 2017
Coronation Street producers have since issued an apology over the error.
A spokeswoman for the show said:
“In last night’s episode we showed a court artist at work sketching Bethany during her trial. We accept this wasn’t a true representation of court procedure and we apologise for including it.
“The artist was solely used to illustrate the passing of time and we devoted multiple scenes to the fact that Bethany’s anonymity is a priority for the court.
“We repeatedly focused on details regarding screens and video links, and support for victims throughout the court process, which we hope would encourage anyone watching to recognise the fact they would be in a safe place when giving evidence.”
UK broadcasting regulating body Ofcom received multiple complaints about the scene.
