A ST HELENS man has been charged with two offences following a police investigation into online communications linked to alleged abuse directed at a Wigan Warriors rugby league player.
Martin O'Donnell, 56, of Barwell Avenue, Islands Brow, St Helens, has been charged with two counts of sending an indecent, offensive, obscene or menacing message via a public communications network.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the charges relate to a neighbourhood investigation launched in July into malicious communications shared online following rugby league's Magic Weekend.
It was widely reported at the time that abuse was allegedly directed at Wigan Warriors and England forward Junior Nsemba following his club's dramatic 16-14 victory over St Helens at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Police previously confirmed that a 56-year-old man from the St Helens area had been arrested on Friday, July 10 in connection with the investigation.
O'Donnell is due to appear before Wigan and Leigh Magistrates' Court on January 13, 2027.
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