Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Edward Smith

First person jailed for WhatsApp 'revenge porn' in the UK

The man changed his Whatsapp profile image with an explicit photo of his ex.

A MAN IN Nottingham who shared explicit content of his ex-girlfriend on Whatsapp has become the first person in the UK to be jailed for “revenge porn”.

The BBC reports that Luke King, who had previously threatened to put photos of his ex on the internet, changed his Whatsapp profile picture to one of the explicit images.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court jailed King, who pleaded guilty to the offence, for 12 weeks.

Mashable reports that the woman told the court that the images were for him only.

District Judge Andrew Davison said that the probation officer said it was pernicious and intended to cause maximum humiliation, adding that he regarded the sharing of the photo as a “despicable and significant breach of trust”.

King was prosecuted under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, however, under a new law, people who distribute revenge porn images and videos could face two years in jail.

Read: ‘Revenge porn’ soon to be illegal under new UK law, so should Ireland follow suit?>

Poll: Should people who share nude or sexual content of their exes online be jailed?

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Author
Christina Finn
View 18 comments
Close
18 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds