Reader discretion: Some may find the details of this story upsetting. Contact methods for services supporting victims of revenge porn can be found at the bottom of this article
A READING man has been locked up after he sent out private sexual images of a woman.
Kevor Shakes, of Kingsley Close, Reading, committed the offence -- commonly known as revenge porn -- in December last year.
Revenge porn is the sharing of private, sexual materials, either photos or videos, of another person without their consent and with the purpose of causing embarrassment or distress.
A court filing indicated the 28-year-old distributed the image and in doing so intended to cause the victim distress.
READ MORE: Man who stole four tyres from Lexus among latest in the dock
Shakes initially denied the charge, but following a summary trial he was found guilty of the offence.
The Reading man was committed to prison for twelve weeks due to the severity of the offence and because the crime was “aggravated by the defendant's record of previous offending”, the court file indicated.
A restraining order was also put in place prohibiting Shakes from contacting the woman.
This order lasts until May 2023.
Reading Magistrates’ Court ordered the image to be forfeited and destroyed.
Shakes will also have to pay a £128 victim surcharge.
READ MORE: Knifeman stabbed 'much-loved' 24-year-old after being made to look 'foolish'
He appeared at RMC for his sentencing on Friday, November 19.
The distribution of a private sexual image of someone without their consent and with the intention of causing them distress became an offence in 2014.
The offence will cover photographs or films which show people engaged in sexual activity or depicted in a sexual way or with their genitals exposed, where what is shown would not usually be seen in public.
Those convicted face maximum jail terms of two years.
Speaking in 2014, former Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said: “Circulating intimate photos of an individual without their consent is never acceptable. People are entitled to expect a reasonable level of respect and privacy.
“It is right that those who do circulate these images are held to account, and that we educate young people to the hurt that can be caused by breaking this trust.”
If you have been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can contact the revenge porn helpline by calling 0345 6000 459, emailing help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk, or sending an anonymous message here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article