Man jailed over sex act live-stream
OFFENCE COMMITTED IN PRESENCE OF A CHILD
A CHEF who live-streamed himself carrying out a sex act in the presence of a crying child has been jailed.
Christopher Cook videod himself performing the act and included the hashtags “young, no limits, not alone”.
Newcastle Crown Court heard the footage could have been viewed by other users of the website around the world.
Now shamed Cook, who has no previous convictions, has been jailed after admitting engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
The court heard it was broadcast on a peer to peer website called Flingster, where other users are randomly selected to view what other people are streaming.
The American-based website flagged Cook’s illegal behaviour, banned him and alerted the authorities and the National Crime Agency became involved.
Judge Edward Bindloss jailed Cook, 38, of Throckley, Newcastle, for two years and ordered him to register as a sex offender and be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.
The judge said: “There was a substantial risk others around the world were viewing you masturbating in the presence of (the child).
“Others could have formed an image that could circulate among those who look to share images of sexual abuse. There’s no evidence it happened but there was a risk it did.
“You deliberately put this on the internet, created the hashtags and made the live stream for others to watch.
“You are regarded by those who know you best as a good man, somebody who feels bitterly the shame and regret at what you have done.
“People who know you regard this as completely out of character.”
Jane Foley, defending, said: “He has lost his good character and good name. He has spent four months in custody, a place he would not have expected to spend time.
“The shame he feels is deep. It’s an event from which he might not fully recover but he wants to try to put things right.
“It’s very difficult for him to articulate what was really going through his mind. He puts it down to a moment of absolute idiocy. He deeply regrets what he did.
“He is capable of doing some good in the community and he can get back to work and support his family. His former job remains open to him. He has suffered immensely and is ashamed and feels the pain suffered by his family.”