A Dunedin man who sent a topless photo of a woman to her ex-partner has been locked up for six months.
Joshua Kane Williams, 36, appeared in the Dunedin District Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to breaching the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
The court heard that earlier this month, the defendant was exchanging calls and texts with the victim.
He then sent her a screenshot which included a photo of her topless.
The image showed Williams had sent it to the woman’s former partner.
In the weeks before Williams sent her the image, the woman had received hundreds of calls, texts and messages from the defendant, a police summary said.
Judge David Robinson highlighted the impact the photo being shared had on the victim.
‘‘She suffered serious emotional distress,’’ the judge said.
‘‘You intended that kind of reaction or response.’’
In a statement to the court, the victim said the offending caused her ‘‘enormous anxiety’’.
Judge Robinson sentenced Williams to six months’ jail.
In 2023, Williams was jailed for 27 months on charges including for beating up his then-boyfriend, who was 10 years his junior, and impersonating police. The defendant previously gained some notoriety for a satirical online news show called ‘‘Newsyland’’.
