Tougher sentences to be handed out to revenge porn offenders

PEOPLE who hide behind fake social media profiles to spread revenge porn will get the toughest punishments, new sentencing guidelines say.

Anyone who repeatedly posts explicit material or promotes it to delib- erately humiliate and embarrass their target will also be treated more harshly under new rules designed to halt the practice.

Delivery and takeaway drivers who use customer’s numbers to try and chat them up will also face tougher punishment if the victim feels harassed because they are deemed to be in a position of trust, the experts said.

The Sentencing Council has handed courts instructions on which revenge porn, sexual harassment and stalking offences warrant the most serious punishments under the law.

Although the length of time behind bars has not been increased overall, those who commit the most serious offences under the new guidelines could be handed the maximum jail terms or the largest fines in a bid to crack down.

The offence of disclosing private sexual images without consent was introduced in 2015 and carries a maximum sentence of two years.

In 2016-17, there were 465 prosecutions over revenge porn allegations in England and Wales.

In an attempt to deal with a new trend among those who post revenge porn – including some perpetrators who deliberately repost images and videos after they have been taken down – anyone who does this will be treated more harshly.

However, “age and lack of maturity” and remorse could mean offenders get lighter sentences for the crime.

The council has also issued guidance on harassment, stalking, controlling and coercive behaviour and threats to kill, after concerns about the way courts were dealing with such crimes.

People who use their position of trust to sexually harass or stalk victims will now get harsher punishment, as will those who harass those working in the public sector or in public service.

The new rules also include the crime of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family relationship.

Rory Stewart, a justice minister, said: “Revenge porn is a horrendous abuse of trust, which can be extremely humiliating for victims. By making it a specific offence, we sent a clear message that it will not be tolerated, and these new guidelines will ensure sentences reflect the severity of the crime.”