I say this because of multiple troll accounts who will try and rotate their names and icons in attempts to regain credibility with a name change while still preserving their post count to make it look like they have been here for a while.
Not asking the world, but if I was an absolute turd who lied, antagonized and trolled to the point I was known for it, I shouldn't be able to just change my name and have people not know who I am without having to do massive homework trying to look at my post histories along with any responses to them to figure out whom I really was.
Should be able to just look at the name and see a "Previous Name" option.
And off topic in response to your part on repeat offenders.
Please spend some time in the politics section and you will see that they have learned to game that system to uselessness. We have literally had known trolls on there for over a year and still there.If you think there is no consequence for repeat/frequent offenders, then you aren't understanding the points system. The punishment for repeat offenders is escalating ban durations and eventual account closure. If someone is at the level where they are triggering three week bans -- there are only a few tiers above that -- they are dangerously close to this happening.