Nicola Brookes, 45, from Brighton was targeted earlier this year after expressing support on Facebook for a contestant on the X Factor TV show, Frankie Cocozza, after he had received abusive messages on the service.

After posting the message, "keep your chin up, Frankie, they'll move on to someone else soon," Brookes herself became the target of a campaign, receiving abusive comments.

The bullies then set up fake Facebook profiles in her name from which they sent explicit comments to other Facebook users. She was also allegedly described as a drug user, prostitute and child abuser by attackers before having her home address published.

After complaining about the abuse, ordering Facebook to reveal the names, email addresses and IP addresses which led to the arrest.

"The abuse is absolutely horrendous and nothing can be done about it and nothing can be stopped," she said. "I am not going to give up until these people are found, exposed and held accountable for what they have done," Brookes told the BBC at the time.