The first person in England to be convicted of cyberflashing was given a 5 1/2 year prison sentence on Tuesday for sending unsolicited images of his genitals to a teenage girl and a woman.

39-year-old Nicholas Hawkes was the initial person in England and Wales to be found guilty of breaking the Online Safety Act, which came into force on January 31st.

During the court proceedings, it was stated that Hawkes used his father’s phone to contact the probation office. However, he instead went to a different room and sent pictures via WhatsApp to a woman and through iMessage to a 15-year-old girl, who became emotional and started crying.

Both individuals captured screenshots and notified the police about him.

The law against cyberflashing prohibits the sending of unwanted sexual images through social media, dating apps, or technology like Bluetooth or Airdrop.

Hannah von Dadelszen, a deputy chief with the Crown Prosecution Service, stated that cyberflashing is a significant offense that can have lasting effects on its victims. However, it is frequently dismissed as casual banter or a harmless prank. Just as individuals who engage in indecent exposure in person face repercussions, those who commit similar crimes online should also be held accountable. A screen cannot shield offenders from the law.

At a previous court appearance, Hawkes acknowledged that he purposefully shared an image or video of genitals in order to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation.

Hawkes was listed as a sex offender as a result of his conviction last year for exposing himself and engaging in sexual activity with a child under 16. He admitted on Tuesday to violating both the terms of his community order and the conditions of his suspended sentence from the previous offense.

According to defense lawyer Barry Gilbert, Hawkes committed his offenses due to his past experience of trauma, and not for any sexual pleasure. He claims that Hawkes suffered from post-traumatic stress after being kidnapped, stabbed, and held for ransom eight years ago.

Judge Samantha Leigh denied that assertion, stating to Hawkes that “you undoubtedly have significant psychological issues and a distorted perception of your own behavior and sexual urges.”

Source: wral.com