Stalker banned from sexting women... unless they give consent
A SERIAL sex pest has become the first in Britain to be banned from sexting – unless a woman gives him her clear consent first.
Robert Basterfield, 47, is also understood to be the first to be handed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) for a second time.
He was jailed for 25 months at Perth Sheriff Court for causing his victims ‘fear, alarm and distress’.
The court heard he stalked an Italian tourist and offered to show an explicit photo to a chemist selling him Viagra. In another incident he sent a picture of his genitals to a virtual stranger.
Yesterday Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told him the best way to protect women from his behaviour was to impose another SOPO.
The ten-year order includes the groundbreaking sexting condition to limit ‘risque’ phone chats unless a female specifically requests it.
The sheriff said: ‘It will have three conditions. Firstly there is a prohibition against accosting any lone female in any way. That is effectively a repeat of the SOPO imposed ten or so years ago.
‘Secondly, against communicating with any female in an indecent manner without that female’s verbal or written consent.
‘I have added that because it seems we have to be alive to the fact it’s quite possible males and females in a relationship may communicate at times in a risque fashion. Finally, you will be prohibited from exhibiting any indecent image to any female. In my view there’s been an escalation in your behaviour and an accumulation of offences which have a pattern.
‘It is pretty clear that any intervention to address your behaviour really does not work. I’m left with no option other than custody.’ The court heard that Australianborn Basterfield had previously been served with a SOPO in 2007.
Sheriff Foulis noted he had been out of trouble until the death of his wife three years ago but then recently declared it was ‘time to get back on the horse’. Basterfield had ‘a sense of entitlement and inability to show empathy to his victims’.
The sheriff added: ‘He claims his victims were usually selected by how attractive they looked to him. The only person I have seen giving evidence is the girl from Italy who was in her mid-20s.
‘I am not wishing to court controversy but she was a very attractive young lady – one might almost say stunning.’
Basterfield targeted Italian holidaymaker Ilaria Pappagallo as she visited Perth on April 27 last year.
He has admitted stalking her by staring at her and following her around the city.
Miss Pappagallo told the court: ‘I told him I didn’t want to speak to him. He followed me. I thought he was frightening.’
In another case, he admitted sending an explicit image to a woman he had met at a ‘social inclusion workshop’. He left her in tears and ‘feeling sick’ when he later sent her an explicit picture.
Basterfield, of Perth, was identified after she showed a screenshot of the message to police.
He admitted seeking sexual gratification by sending an explicit photo and voice message to the woman on October 13 last year.
The court also heard Basterfield was recently placed under supervision for three years after being convicted of distressing Boots staff with sleazy comments in June last year.
‘Your behaviour has escalated’