RYAN EASTWOOD OF OMAGH SENTENCED FOR VOYEURISM IN ANTRIM

In February 2019, Ryan Eastwood, 25, from Coolnagard View in Omagh, County Tyrone, was sentenced to six months in prison after pleading guilty to a charge of voyeurism.

A judge at Antrim Crown Court stated that Eastwood 'looked for satisfaction in causing stress and humiliation' to his victim. Following his release, Eastwood will serve six months on licence.

The case revealed that the complainant received an email in March 2017 from an address resembling that of a legitimate modelling agency. A man claiming to be Ryan Edwards expressed interest in hiring a lingerie model and proposed conducting a Skype interview to assess her suitability for a modelling contract.

The victim grew suspicious after the call and realized she had been tricked when she checked the email address.

Prosecution lawyer disclosed that Eastwood initially denied any involvement, claiming that someone else had been using his computer, but he later fully admitted his role in the offence.

A defence lawyer explained that Eastwood had experienced bullying during secondary school, which contributed to feelings of withdrawal, depression, and anxiety.

Eastwood was scheduled to face trial in December on 23 charges, including nine counts of harassment, five counts of causing a person to engage in a sexual act, and five counts of voyeurism. However, all other charges were dropped after victims chose not to continue with court proceedings.

The court noted that Eastwood had prior convictions for an 'identical type of offence,' which factored into the sentencing decision.

The judge remarked that the motivation behind the offence, detailed in a probation report, was less than honest, stating, 'You maintained to probation that social interaction was your motivation but it’s clear your motivation like most sex offenders was based on abuse of power.' She also described Eastwood as 'a bully.'

The court emphasized the importance of the planning involved in creating a false online identity and highlighted the harm caused by sexualized cyberbullying, which in some cases, has led to suicidal thoughts.

The victim had experienced thoughts of self-harm, and the judge underscored that young people who spend more time online 'require state protection.' The court also considered Eastwood’s mental health difficulties during sentencing.

Upon release, Eastwood will serve six months on licence, during which he must reside at an approved address, cooperate with any recommended care, and is barred from accessing any electronic device, owning a computer, or developing online relationships with women. He will be automatically placed on the sex offender register for 10 years.