Home detention for posting woman’s naked photo online
Eight months’ home detention was imposed on a man who posted a naked photo of a woman online to try to force her to meet him.
Christchurch District Court Judge Tony Couch said that 28-year-old Thomas James Burborough had pleaded guilty and had expressed remorse for his actions.
“But it appears you are just as much sorry for yourself as for the harm you have done to the victim,” said the judge at Burborough’s sentencing.
Burborough had pleaded guilty to charges of causing harm by posting a digital communication, and possession of cannabis for supply.
Defence counsel Michelle Barrell said the photo had been obtained as part of “a consensual exchange of information”, which led to the final posting of the photo, which was without consent. She said Burborough was a first offender.
Judge Tony Couch said the two had consensually taken intimate photographs of each other. Burborough had later threatened to place intimate photographs of her on the Internet if she did not agree to meet him.
While she was making a complaint to the police, she received a message from him saying that the photograph had been posted. It appeared on a popular social media site for about 30minutes before it was taken down.
When police searched Burborough’s home they found 400g of cannabis, some of which was prepared for sale.
Judge Couch said posting the photograph on line after an intimate relationship had been a gross breach of trust, and it had been done for the express purpose of humiliating the woman and causing her distress.
He imposed eight months’ home detention at an address in Rangiora, with special conditions, and ordered the destruction of the cannabis and drug equipment, and any images of the woman. The computer equipment will then be returned to Burborough.
Category: News
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