A MAN who circulated sexual photos of his ex-girlfriend in a revenge porn case has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Daniel Horsfield, of Welbeck Street, Barnsley, admitted sending a photo to the victim’s mother, but denied passing them on to others via social media chat apps.
It is thought to be the second successful prosecution relating to revenge porn in the town since tougher punishments were brought in to deal with offenders several years ago.
The term is used to describe the unauthorised sharing of private or intimate videos and is a criminal offence under section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. The maximum sentence is two years in prison.
The Crown Prosecution Service said the 21-year-old reacted badly to being dumped by his former partner, and was subsequently charged by police for disclosing private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress.
Following a trial at Barnsley Magistrates’ Court last month where he was found guilty, on Monday he was given a 16-week sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, and told to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.
Alistair Parker, a solicitor with Brett Wilson LLP, said revenge porn was on the rise and the impact on victims can be life-changing.
“In my view it is on the rise simply because it is being detected more,” he said. “More people are confident in reporting this and other sexual offences than they once were.
“In cases where there is deliberate and widespread publication of the private pictures or footage, I am of the view that the maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment is clearly not long enough, particularly when one allows for half time release and home detention curfew.”
Horsfield was also given a restraining order to prevent him from contacting the victim and told to pay costs of £200 and a £115 surcharge.
