Reading Magistrates' Court: Newbury man's suspended prison sentence for 'revenge porn' offence

A MAN has been given a suspended prison sentence for a 'revenge porn' offence.

Luke Heaslewood had pleaded not guilty to disclosing a private sexual photograph or film without the consent of his victim and with the intention of causing that individual distress.

The offence was said to have taken place in Newbury on a specified date in 2019.

And on Friday, January 7, the 35-year-old, of Market Place, Newbury, was convicted by Reading magistrates following a trial.

Mr Heaslewood was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Magistrates said the custodial sentence, albeit suspended, was necessary because of the calculated nature of the offence and the serious distress caused to the victim by publication of the intimate video.

In addition to having the suspended sentence hanging over him, Mr Heaslewood was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid community work.

Finally, he was ordered to pay £350 costs, plus a statutory victim services surcharge of £95.