LOSSIE OFFSHORE WORKER PETER THOMSON AVOIDS JAIL AFTER REVENGE PORN THREAT IN MORAY

In December 2018, a distressing case unfolded involving Peter Thomson, an offshore worker from Lossiemouth, who faced serious allegations related to a threat of distributing explicit images of his former partner. The incident drew significant attention at Elgin Sheriff Court, where Thomson appeared to face the consequences of his actions.

According to court reports, Thomson had been persistently attempting to contact his ex-girlfriend following their breakup. His efforts included numerous phone calls and messages sent via social media platforms. The woman, whose identity remains protected, initially chose to ignore these repeated attempts at communication. However, her situation escalated when Thomson sent her an intimate photograph of herself, which he implied he might share publicly on social media. This act caused her considerable distress and fear of exposure.

Thomson’s legal representative, Iain Maltman, emphasized that his client did not intend to publish the image, attempting to mitigate the severity of the charges. Nevertheless, the court heard that Thomson’s conduct was highly inappropriate and alarming. On August 30, he sent the woman an explicit photo, accompanied by messages that suggested he might distribute it to others. Prior to this, she had received multiple emails—up to ten within three days—along with messages on Facebook and WhatsApp. She responded once, asking Thomson to cease contact, but the harassment persisted.

One particularly disturbing email contained a partially naked image of the woman along with the words ‘please share,’ which led her to believe that her private image might be disseminated without her consent. The victim’s distress was compounded by the fear of her image being shared publicly, a situation that courts regard with utmost seriousness.

Thomson, who resides on Shore Street in Lossiemouth, admitted to engaging in conduct that was likely to cause fear or alarm, as well as threatening to disclose an intimate photograph that had not been previously shared or consented to. His actions were described as “abhorrent” by the court, reflecting the gravity with which such offenses are viewed.

In sentencing, Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov acknowledged the potential for Thomson to have faced imprisonment had he carried out his threat. Instead, she imposed a sentence of 100 hours of unpaid work, placed him under supervision for 18 months, and ordered him to pay £500 in compensation to the victim. The court’s decision underscores the serious stance taken against revenge porn and related harassment, emphasizing the importance of protecting individuals from such invasive and damaging conduct.