A young man who filmed an intimate act he was engaging in with a woman on Snapchat, and then shared it on Snapchat, tried to apologise to his victim on Snapchat, his solicitor told Galway Court. He added that his client got no response.
The images were taken and shared without the victim’s knowledge or consent which is a criminal offence and can lead to a prison sentence of up to one year in the District Court and seven years in higher Courts.
The parties were engaged in a consensual sexual encounter when unbeknownst to the female the man filmed the encounter and shared it with two friends on Snapchat.
Prosecuting Garda Sgt Clare Heneghan said the problem was that although it was shared with two people there was no way of knowing how many people had been shown it.
Judge Valerie Corcoran asked whether the video had been taken down and that the Gardaí had made sure of this. She was assured that this was so.
Sgt Heneghan said the victim did not feel strong enough to come to Court.
A key issue was that one of the friends who received the video was a colleague of the victim. As a result she had left her employment and changed her address.
Sean Acton solr (defending ) said his client wanted to make a full and unreserved apology and was deeply ashamed he had humiliated the girl in this way. He had written a letter of apology to her.
He pleaded that the victim’s face or private parts could not be seen. His client stupidly sent the images to two friends and one of them worked with her. His client contacted his two friends the following day and ensured they deleted the images, he added.
His client was taking steps to address his drug and alcohol abuse issues and he had tried to apologise to his victim on Snapchat but got no response. He wished he never did it, Mr Acton said, adding that it was “immature and stupid”.
Judge Corcoran said the defendant had pleaded guilty to a very serious offence and her heart went out to the victim. What happened to her was not only humiliating but degrading.
To film someone without their consent was serious but to share it with others was much worse. There is an element of serious harm here, so serious it must merit a custodial sentence, the Judge added.
Mr Acton said his client had €2,000 to offer his victim as she had suffered financial loss as a result of having to leave her job.
The Judge said she noted the guilty pleas and the €2,000 handed in. If the victim didn’t want to accept it the money should go to Pieta House.
A seven-month prison sentence was imposed, suspended for two years on condition he stay away from and have no contact of any nature with his victim, and be of good behaviour during this time.
Imposing reporting restrictions the Judge said: “This young lady has been through enough.”
