Bridgewater teens guilty in naked photo ring case get conditional discharges

Six young Nova Scotia men who admitted to exchanging intimate images of at least 20 girls without their consent treated the victims as “objects for the accused’s own sexual gratification,” a Nova Scotia judge said Wednesday in handing down conditional discharges.

But Judge Paul Scovil also recognized that the young men have shown remorse for their part in the creation two Dropbox accounts for the purpose of sharing dozens of intimate images of girls naked or in various states of undress.

“The victims were in a vulnerable position that these accused took advantage of,” said Scovil as the six young men watched on from the gallery amongst loved ones. “These young men have come forward and admitted responsibility. Each one of them has said how they understand how they hurt the victims, and I am encouraged by that.”

The conditional discharges mean the six young men will follow court-imposed conditions for nine months — which include completing community service and counselling — and that their youth court records will be erased three years from the date they pleaded guilty.

Scovil acknowledged that some of the conditions of his decision may have already been met.

Court heard that the six young men have participated in a restorative justice process since being charged in July 2016.

All six chose to address the court Wednesday, each expressing their remorse.

At the time they were charged, four of the accused were 15 years old and the other two were 18. However, all were under 18 when the offences were committed, which means their identities are protected from publication under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The victims’ identities are also protected.