A PAINTER who intentionally distributed naked images of his partner has been sentenced to 18 months in prison.
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The 38-year-old man pleaded guilty to six counts of intentionally distributing intimate images without consent at Armidale Local Court on Friday.
In the midst of a relationship breakdown, the offender, who cannot be identified due to a court imposed suppression order, sent naked images of his partner to multiple people on January 1.
He had no doubt about doing what he was doing, what he feels an idiot for is the matter has been reported to police and now he’s before the court as a defendant.
- Magistrate Michael Holmes
Magistrate Michael Holmes said the photographs were very intimate and unpleasant.
“The intention was to cause utmost embarrassment and shame to the woman concerned,” he said.
“He said in one interview, ‘I feel like an idiot, I regret it, I’m embarrassed, it was dumb and I can’t take it back.’
“He had no doubt about doing what he was doing, what he feels an idiot for is the matter has been reported to police and now he’s before the court as a defendant.”
The victim was unaware the perpetrator was in possession of the images and had not given consent for them to be distributed, the court heard.
New laws were passed in 2017 to crack down on the trend of “revenge porn”, and perpetrators can now cop up to three years imprisonment and an $11,000 fine.
The legislation was brought in to deal with a spate of these types of offences, Mr Holmes said.
“The impact on the victim is great, it continues a means of control and intimidation,” he said.
“There was a degree of trust, it can be argued, when the photos were taken, it was probably expected it would be a private matter between them.
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“As part of his upset he then decides to publish them, this gets back to the significant issue of revenge porn.”
Police prosecutor sergeant Jim MacDonald agreed, telling the court revenge porn is a serious criminal behaviour.
“It is vindictive behaviour by the accused,” he said.
“The community expectation is that it doesn’t happen, it can’t be allowed to happen and it won’t be tolerated.
“The court must take a firm hand in ensuring this kind of behaviour does not occur in our community.”
The offender was supported by his ex-wife in court, who cried as he was led into custody.
He was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment with nine months non-parole for each of the offences, to be served concurrently.
The phone containing the explicit images was ordered to be destroyed.