A teenager who cannot be named due to a gag order by the court to protect the victim and also because the teenager is under 18, pleaded guilty today (17 Dec) for uploading upskirt images of his teacher onto blogging website tumblr.
He faces two similar charges which would be taken into consideration when sentencing.
The teenager apparently did so as he felt that his teacher was showing him less concern than she used to show when he was in Secondary One.
What happened
Sometime in April or May 2019, the boy discovered that two upskirt videos were taken of his teacher and he asked two of his schoolmates to send him screenshots of the upskirt videos.
Upon receiving the images, he edited them and made up many versions of them before posting them onto Tumblr.
These uploaded content not only showed the teacher at work, but also pictures of her with family members.
Victim discovered the photos
The teacher subsequently found her photos online and made a police report on 21 May 2019, claiming that her pictures were uploaded onto adult websites.
Her face was seen clearly in all the content that was uploaded, along with her family members and the school she was working at.
Prosecutor’s findings
The prosecutor in charge agreed that the teen had acted out of malice, and also the fact that the images went viral as they were found not only on tumblr but on other adult websites.
He also noted that the teenager was only 15 at the time of the offence and thus did not object to an assessment report to see if the teenager was suitable for probation.
Defense arguments
The defense lawyer said that the teenager has been feeling remorse over his deeds and has given his full cooperation to the Police, and this is his first time breaking the law.
He added that the teenager has also went for counselling sessions to learn how to better manage his emotions and now knows the seriousness of his deeds.
Regretted his actions
When asked by the judge, the teenager said that he had gone through a lot at that point in life and really regrets his wrongdoings.
He mentioned that he had been punished severely, having been caned and suspended from school.
He asked for a chance to turn over a new leaf, given that he is doing well now especially in school.
Penalties
The judge then called for an adjournment to the case to February, pending a probation suitability report.
Those convicted of transmitting an obscene object via electronic means are liable for a jail term of up to three months and/or a fine.
Image source: unsplash.com