A judge has granted an injunction to an escort who has been harassed online, after concluding that working in the sex industry does not disqualify you from having a private life.

The woman, known as GYH, has been caused considerable distress by online publications about her sex life, physical and mental health, the High Court heard. 

These include allegations that she has HIV/Aids, which she says are untrue.

GYH brought proceedings in London against “persons unknown” as, despite extensive efforts, it has proved impossible to trace any individual who has posted the material.

The perpetrator is still unknown but is “most likely to be one male individual”, the High Court heard. 

On Tuesday, Mr Justice Warby said that an injunction was “amply justified” to restrain continued harassment of GYH and the misuse of private information about her.

The fact that GYH had publicised that she was an escort providing sexual services was relevant, but did not disqualify her from the protection given to private life, he added.