THE ISLAND MAN JAILED FOR PHOTOS
P.E.I. man is sentenced for sharing intimate images
A P.E.I. man who sent intimate images of a woman to someone else without the victim’s consent was sentenced Wednesday to 60 days in jail.
Frank Jensen Moran, 29, appeared before Chief Judge Nancy Orr in provincial court in Charlottetown for sentencing after previously pleading guilty to distributing an intimate image.
Moran was charged after sending intimate photos of a woman to someone he knew.
The photos’ recipient recognized the woman and told her what happened, which led her to contact the police.
A publication ban prevents the release of any details that could identify the victim.
Crown attorney Chad McQuaid told the court it was his understanding the images have since been deleted from both Moran’s and the recipient’s phones.
During his submissions, McQuaid said the courts need to send a message that distributing intimate images is not acceptable behaviour and won’t be condoned.
Although the court heard the images weren’t uploaded to the Internet for anyone to see, McQuaid said that whether one person or hundreds view those types of photos the humiliation the victim feels is real.
During defence submissions, lawyer Brendan Hubley said Moran was under the influence when he sent the images.
Orr responded that Moran wasn’t so drunk that he couldn’t figure out how to send it.
She also said that as soon as an image is sent to someone else control of it is lost.
Distributing intimate images is a relatively new offence in Canada and Orr said the legislation came into effect in 2015 after two victims took their own lives when pictures of them were shared.
Orr said distributing an intimate image doesn’t have to be for revenge or harassment and the act of sharing it is the offence.
She also said she is sure Moran’s victim is thankful her images didn’t end up on the internet.
It isn’t a complicated issue and people can’t distribute intimate images without consent, Orr said.
“It’s pretty simple.” Before hearing his sentence, Moran stood and addressed the court.
“I just feel awful for what I did,” he said.
Along with the jail time, Moran will be on probation for 18 months, during which time he is banned from contact with the victim.
He must also write an apology letter to the victim.