A landmark ruling in Southend Crown Court sentenced the first individual in the U.K. to 66 weeks in jail for a “cyber flashing” offense.

The perpetrator, Nicholas Hawkes, was convicted of sending unwanted explicit images to two individuals, including a minor.

Hawkes, 39, who resides in Basildon, Essex, sent explicit photographs to a 15-year-old teenager and a woman. This new type of offense, known as cyber flashing, involves sending unsolicited sexual images through digital means, including social media, texting, or data-sharing services.

England and Wales criminalized this behavior on January 31, 2024, with the passage of the Online Safety Act.

Judge Samantha Leigh, in delivering the sentence, described Hawkes as a “deeply disturbed” man who necessitated a custodial sentence given the nature of the offense, The Telegraph reported.

Hannah von Dadelszen, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said the case was significant and addressed the traumatic impact of cyber flashing on victims. She emphasizes that it should not be trivialized or treated as mere jest.

The court learned of the events on the evening in question, where Hawkes, already on the sex offenders register, utilized his father’s phone to transmit the indecent images. This act caused considerable distress to the young recipient, leaving them overwhelmed. It was noted by the prosecution that Hawkes had a history of similar offenses.

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