A yob has become the first person in Britain to be jailed for posting naked pictures of his ex-partner on the internet – weeks after the Government vowed to clamp down on ‘revenge porn’.
Luke King, 21, was sent intimate pictures “for his eyes only” by the woman during an on-off three-year relationship.
But a court heard the victim – who has not been named – became worried when King threatened to post the explicit snaps online after she dumped him.
The woman was then horrified when she realised his website profile on WhatsApp had been amended to include a “private image” of her on August 8 this year. WhatsApp is a messaging service for mobile phones where users can send photos and videos using the internet.
Jobless King pleaded guilty to posting an explicit image on the internet in a course of conduct which amounted to harassment of the woman.
He also admitted failing to answer police bail on September 5.
King, of Nottingham, was jailed for 12 weeks when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
District Judge Andrew Davison said: “The probation officer calls it pernicious and intended to cause maximum humiliation. I can’t better those words.
“You should be thoroughly ashamed of this offence. I regard this as despicable and a significant breach of trust.
“For some reason she sent them to you in complete confidence. Clearly it was an unwise thing for the complainant to do.
“Nevertheless it doesn’t give you any excuse whatsoever to post this type of intimate photograph together with the abusive and offensive remarks you posted.”
Luke King posted the explicit snap online by putting it as his profile picture on the messaging service WhatsApp, the court heard.
The youth was prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 after he ignored two police warnings not to share the X-rated images.
King was also slapped with a restraining order which bans him from contacting the woman for two years – including over the internet.
The court heard the victim, who lives in Derby, told police: “It has disgusted me and really upset me.”
Prosecutor Alison Wright added: “She called Derbyshire police to report that he had threatened to put explicit photographs of her on the internet.
“She accepted she sent them initially to him but they were for his eyes only, so to speak.”
The court heard that King had been abusive to the woman earlier in the relationship and she had reported him to Nottinghamshire Police.
James Close, defending, said: “He accepts it was a totally unacceptable thing to do. In his words ‘something exploded’ in him.
“He said it was a stupid, angry reaction. He told the probation service he was not sexually motivated and it was not through jealousy.
“It has had an impact on the young lady and I accept that.”
The jail sentence comes just weeks after Justice Secretary Chris Grayling vowed to clamp down on ‘revenge porn’.
He announced a new criminal offence of posting the explicit images online with carry a maximum jail term of two years.
The Crown Prosecution Service branded the offence a “nasty and invasive crime” and the plan has been welcomed by campaigners.
According to the bill, which is currently going through Parliament, the distribution of ‘revenge porn’ will be made a specific criminal offence in an amendment to the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill.
Mr Grayling said: “The fact that there are individuals who are cruelly distributing intimate pictures of their former partners without their consent is almost beyond belief.
“We want those who fall victim to this type of disgusting behaviour to know that we are on their side and will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.
“That is why we will change the law and make it absolutely clear to those who act in this way that they could face prison.”
After the hearing, the Crown Prosecution Service welcome the case – which was the first brought under new guidance issued about ‘revenge porn’ in October.
Peter Shergill, district crown prosecutor at the CPS East Midlands, said: “This kind of malicious use of intimate material online is a vindictive crime that leaves victims humiliated and devastated.
“Prosecutors are now following guidance issued in October this year that clarifies how we can use existing legislation to prosecute perpetrators of these intrusive offences.
“In this instance, because Luke King had threatened his victim and posted multiple pictures of her on social media, a charge of harassment was brought.
“He pleaded guilty to the offence and has been imprisoned and the victim now has the reassurance of a restraining order that will prevent any further contact from King.
“This is the first case of its kind in Derbyshire since the new guidelines came into effect and is a sharp reminder that these offences will be taken seriously and we will use a range of legislation to secure justice for its victims.
“I would like to thank the victim for her courage in bringing this matter to the attention of the authorities and her support in bringing Luke King to justice.”
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