Teenager shared video of sex act

A 16-year-old girl told court she “felt like garbage” after discovering a teenage boy had secretly recorded them engaging in a sexual act and then shared the video with friends.

“I believed you cared about me,” she told the 17-year-old Niagara Falls resident after he pleaded guilty Tuesday in Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines to a charge of distributing an intimate image.

“I wish I could turn back time but, sadly, I can’t. I hope you learn how to respect girls. I don’t want any other girl to go through this.”

In October 2018 the two teens, who attended the same high school and worked together at a local grocery store, engaged in a sexual act.

The girl was unaware that the boy had recorded the act using his cellphone.

The defendant sent the video to a friend later that day, court heard, and subsequently showed it to a co-worker at the grocery store. The employee, also a teenage boy, alerted authorities.

The victim told court she was traumatized by what happened and now has difficulty trusting people.

She had to quit her job because “everyone knew about it and called me names.”

Judge Harvey Brownstone commended the victim for her bravery for appearing in court.

“You said you wish you could turn back the clock. You cannot, but you can wind it up again and start to heal and appreciate your own strength and courage.”

The judge also admonished the defendant’s actions.

“When something happens under a blanket, chances are it’s not to be filmed,” Brownstone said. “Any person with half a brain would know that’s not meant to be filmed.”

The defendant told the judge he was “deeply sorry for the actions I did.”

Defence lawyer Jeffrey Root told court his client lost his job at the grocery store as a result of the incident.

“Whose fault is that?” the judge asked. “So did she. Forgive me if I feel worse for her than you.”

The defendant, who cannot be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was granted a conditional discharge and placed on probation for 12 months.

“I don’t know who would get involved with him now,” the judge added. “Good luck finding someone who will trust you.”