Sex offender who sent unsolicited nudes convicted, imprisoned under new online safety law in the UK

Nicholas Hawkes, 39, a convicted sex offender who sent unsolicited photos of his genitals to a girl and a woman, is the first person in England and Wales convicted of violating the Online Safety Act. Photo / AP

England’s first convicted cyberflasher was sentenced on Tuesday to five and a half years in prison after sending unsolicited photos of his genitals to a teenage girl and a woman.

Nicholas Hawkes, 39, a convicted sex offender, was the first person in England and Wales convicted of violating the Online Safety Act, which went into effect January 31.

The court was told Hawkes borrowed his father’s phone, saying he needed to call the probation office, went to another room and sent photos by WhatsApp to a woman and by iMessage to a 15-year-old girl, who began crying.

Both took screenshots and reported him to police.

The cyberflashing law makes it an offence to send unsolicited sexual images by social media, dating apps or technologies such as Bluetooth or Airdrop.

“Cyberflashing is a serious crime which leaves a lasting impact on victims, but all too often it can be dismissed as thoughtless ‘banter’ or a harmless joke,” said Hannah von Dadelszen, a deputy chief with the Crown Prosecution Service. “Just as those who commit indecent exposure in the physical world can expect to face the consequences, so, too, should offenders who commit their crimes online; hiding behind a screen does not hide you from the law.”

Hawkes admitted at an earlier hearing that he sent a photograph or film of genitals with intent to cause alarm, distress or humiliation.

Hawkes was on the sex offenders register after being convicted last year of exposure and sexual activity with a child under 16. He pleaded guilty on Tuesday to breaching both a community order and terms of the suspended sentence he received for the earlier offence.

Lawyer Barry Gilbert said Hawkes did not receive sexual gratification from his offences, which he said arose out of the post-traumatic stress he suffered after being kidnapped, stabbed and held for ransom eight years ago.

Judge Samantha Leigh rejected that argument, telling Hawkes that “you clearly are deeply disturbed and have a warped view of yourself and your sexual desires”.