Explicit images sent to family of 'revenge porn' victim by scrapyard worker

Tyler Walker (22), of School Close, Wales, sent photos of a woman he had been in a relationship with over Facebook Messenger in late February and early March without her consent.

He was given a six-month jail term, suspended for two years, at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Mr Justin Bullas, prosecuting, told the court that the photographs were sent to the woman’s father, brother and three friends.

“She stated this caused her a lot of distress,” he told the court.

The woman was over 18 but was younger than Walker.

Walker pleaded guilty at a previous hearing at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court to disclosing private sexual photographs without consent with the intention of causing the victim distress.

The offence of disclosing private sexual images without consent - so-called “revenge porn” - was introduced in 2015 and carries a maximim sentence of two years.

Ms Pari Seeley, mitigating,  said: “It’s a serious offence, and I’m not pretending that it isn’t, and Mr Walker accepts the severity of the situation that he’s in.

“He’s lost his good character by doing something, I feel, was in the heat of the moment.

“He’s decided to take revenge and he’s done the most stupid thing he could possibly do.”

District Judge Mr Paul Healey gave Walker a six-month jail term, suspended for two years, which is the maximum suspended prison sentence the magistrates’ court could impose.

The judge said: “My view is the actions were intended to humiliate and upset the victim and your intention was to cause maximum potential distress to her.”

Mr Healey said the woman would have found it difficult to find support because whoever she turned to had probably seen the photographs of her.

“Your behaviour is appalling and it must have had a terrible impact on the complainant,” he said.

“I hope you understand how close you came to an immediate prison sentence today.”

Walker was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay costs of £85.