NEWTOWN MAN JAILED FOR SENDING IMAGES AND VIDEOS OF WOMAN
A NEWTOWN man has been jailed after he sent intimate images and videos of a woman to members of her family.Ben Ralph, 28, admitted one charge of sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state, intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation earlier this year.
He also admitted sending an electronic communication which was indecent or grossly offensive.
Ralph, of Cledan, Newtown, received consecutive four-month prison sentences at Welshpool Magistrates’ Court this week for both offences – meaning he will spend a total of eight months behind bars.
Ralph has also previously admitted assault – committed after breaking into a man’s home – as well as criminal damage, obstructing a police officer and possessing cannabis.
Prosecutor Helen Tench said on Tuesday, November 4, that Ralph asked a woman for videos and images containing “explicit content”.
“Things deteriorated and he made threats to disclose the content to her family members,” said Mrs Tench.
“Her brother received a Facebook message from the defendant, in which he was shouting abuse.
Another conversation turned argumentative and the defendant sent him the images and videos.
The victim was contacted by her father who told her about the messages.
“She said she didn’t give her consent for this and she contacted police.” In a victim impact statement read by Mrs Tench, the woman said: “Dad is still disgusted with me and I am disgusted with myself.
It made me feel awful about myself.
They were degrading, embarrassing and humiliating.” On March 30 this year, Ralph assaulted Paul Kilbride while he slept.
“He woke in the early hours to being punched and kicked, he had no idea what was going on,” said Mrs Tench.
“He was pushed to the ground and kicked to the head.
The male, who he recognised, returned 20 minutes later and smashed a glass over his head.
Mr Kilbride suffered black eyes and a bleeding nose.
“Police later found him (Ralph) at a property, hanging out of a window with a piece of glass to his neck, threatening to kill himself.
He was eventually tasered.” On May 23 police tried to arrest Ralph, but he twice escaped them.
“PCs Dimley and Crouch went to a known associates’ place,” said Mrs Tench.
“Officers saw a man dressed in black, one shone a torch on him and recognised him as the defendant.
“He escaped again and was later located at midnight on a bridge.
He got in the police van but then again tried to make off, but he was detained.” While in custody, cannabis and a pipe were found on Ralph after he lowered his underwear during a search.
“Rob Hanratty,” representing Ralph, who appeared via videolink from custody, where he has been on remand, described the two lead offences as “very unpleasant”.
“As reprehensible as his conduct was, the content was shared to one person and not the wider public,” said Mr Hanratty.
“He is extremely remorseful and realises how deeply embarrassing his behaviour was.
He has been diagnosed with ADHD and he has been noted for his impulsive behaviour; he lacks the ability to think before he takes action.” As well as the jail terms, Ralph must sign the sex offender’s register for seven years.
A separate four-month jail sentence for the assault on Mr Kilbride will be served concurrently.
He must also pay a £187 surcharge.
