First woman convicted of posting 'revenge porn' pics of girlfriend avoids jail
First woman convicted of posting 'revenge porn' pics of girlfriend avoids jail
A woman who posted explicit images of her girlfriend "to hurt and humiliate" her victim after an argument has walked free from court. Paige Mitchell, 24, today became the first woman to be sentenced for revenge porn in the UK when she was handed a six-week suspended jail term at Stevenage Magistrates' Court. Mitchell, from the Hertfordshire town, said she posted the four sexually explicit images of her girlfriend on her own Facebook page following the argument - prompted when Mitchell was accused by the victim of looking at other women.
Posting the photos on the internet was a highly vindictive invasion of privacy. It was done with the intention of humiliating and hurting your victim.
Chairman of the bench, Bette Hindmarsh
Mitchell pleaded guilty to one count of assault by beating, and one of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. The latter has only been a criminal offence since the new revenge porn laws were introduced in April. So far, around a dozen men have been convicted under the legislation in England. Mitchell said the images were sent by her partner during their relationship, which had begun 14 months before the fight. Mitchell was handed a six-week sentence for revenge porn, and a two-week sentence for common assault, to run concurrently. They were suspended for 18 months.
People who I didn't want to see my body have seen me (naked). I don't want to feel like that.
Mitchell's unidentified victim
