Basildon man first in England and Wales to be convicted of cyber-flashing
It became an offence on January 31st this year
Last updated 13th Feb 2024
A man from Essex has been convicted of cyber flashing; the first conviction of the offence in England and Wales.
39-year-old Nicholas Hawkes, from Basildon, sent unsolicited photos of his erect penis to a 15-year-old girl and a woman on February 9th.
The CPS have called the crime "grotesque".
The woman took screenshots on WhatsApp of the image from Hawkes, and reported him to Essex Police.
He admitted to two counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress or humiliation at Southend Magistrates' Court, CPS said.
After being convicted yesterday at a hearing, he has been remanded in custody to be sentenced on March 11th at Basildon Crown Court.
Hawkes is a registered sex offender until November 2033 after he was convicted and given a community order for sexual activity with a child under 16 years old and exposure last year at Basildon Crown Court, the CPS said.
He will also be sentenced for breaching the order when he is sentenced in March.
What is the new offence?
Cyber-flashing became an offence on January 31st this year as part of the Online Safety Act.
"the new law is working"
Sefer Mani, from CPS East of England, said: "Cyber-flashing is a grotesque crime and the fact we were able to deliver swift justice for the two victims shows the new law is working.
"Everyone should feel safe wherever they are and not be subjected to receiving unwanted sexual images.
"I urge anyone who feels they have been a victim of cyber-flashing to report it to the police and know that they will be taken seriously and have their identities protected."
Victims of the offence also receive lifelong anonymity, under the Sexual Offences Act, from the point of reporting the cyber-flashing or image-based abuse to Police.