Man, 24, who shared naked pictures of his ex-girlfriend online in revenge porn posts on fake Instagram accounts AVOIDS jail
- Mitchell Brindley created several Instagram accounts in his ex-girlfriend's name
- He uploaded 'full nude' images where her breasts and vagina were censored
- Brindley committed the crime after the pair had broken off their relationship
- He is the first person to be charged with revenge porn under state's new laws
- The 24-year-old has avoided jail after he faced Fremantle Magistrates Court
A man who shared naked pictures of his ex-girlfriend on fake social media accounts in her name has avoided jail.
Mitchell Brindley from Western Australia created numerous Instagram accounts, with one containing 'full nudes' where his girlfriend's breasts and vagina were crudely censored.
Brindley, who made the fake accounts after they had broken up, uploaded the intimate pictures without her consent between April 19 and 23.
Brindley, 24, is the first person to be charged under the WA's new revenge porn laws, just days after the legislation went into effect.
Mitchell Brindley (pictured) from Western Australia created numerous Instagram accounts, with one containing 'full nudes' where her breasts and vagina were censored
He was sentenced to 12 months of intensive supervision after he faced Fremantle Magistrates Court on Monday, The West Australian reported.
The sentencing comes after he pleaded guilty in April to distributing an intimate image of another without consent.
Under the new laws, he could have faced 18 months in jail or handed an $18,000 fine.
If the matter was taken to the District Court by prosecutors, he could have been sentenced to three years in prison.
Magistrate Deen Potter described his crime as 'very much an impulsive act'.
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Brindley took the nude pictures with his former girlfriend's consent when they were in a relationship between November and January.
According to a psychological report by defence counsel Terry Dobson, Brindley tried to take his own life when his relationship broke down in January.
The court heard his ex-girlfriend supported him during his mental struggle, which was described as a 'terrible irony' by Magistrate Potter.
He began posting the images without her knowing, after finding out the woman had sent messages describing him as a 'basket case'.
The first fake Instagram he created in her name had seven images, including the 'full nudes'.
The other pictures were of her wearing underwear and a t-shirt with her face showing.
When the profile was taken down, he uploaded 10 images across four fake accounts he made.
The woman found out about the accounts, which were then taken down.
The 24-year-old, who made the fake accounts after they had broken up, uploaded the intimate pictures without her consent between April 19 and 23
'He basically lost it and formed the view he should lash out and harm her,' Mr Dobson said.
'He thought he could do it in a non-violent way, but as we know, the mental harm is just as significant.'
Brindley had initially asked police if he could apologise to his girlfriend for what he had after he had been charged.
However, police denied his request as a violence restraining order had already been taken out.
Brindley's crime was described as a 'very serious offence and a serious breach of trust' by police prosecutors.
The court heard the woman's 'privacy, her personality and her self-esteem' was severely affected.
The new revenge porn laws state that it is a crime to distribute or threaten to share pictures of a person who is naked, partially naked or in their underwear without the consent of the person.
Sharing images of a person doing a 'private act' such as using the toilet or bathing without their consent is also illegal.
When the profile was taken down, he uploaded 10 images across four fake accounts he made (stock image)
