Ashleigh Wilson avoids jail after porn pic sent to man’s parents

Ashleigh Wilson, 18, and the man from Ayr, started a relationship after meeting on the internet, before they started exchanging sexual photos.

Soon after, the teenager from Dumbarton, demanded sums of up to £3,000 or she would share an image of him, which she eventually did.

An intimate picture was sent to the man’s mother, father and current girlfriend after he blocked Wilson from contacting him.

She must now carry out 120 hours of unpaid work as punishment.

Fiscal Depute Laurin Campbell told Ayr Sheriff Court: “In terms of the conduct in question, the complainer and accused were messaging each other and the content soon became sexual with both sharing sexual fantasies with one another.

“During that time, a sexually explicit image was exchanged. The accused then began asking the complainer for sums of money as she stated that she was behind on rent and was being evicted from her home.

“The accused then threatened the complainer that if he did not give her £100 she would share the image she has of him. The complainer refused to provide the money and blocked the accused and stopped all contact with her.”

Wilson persisted with contacting the man who eventually made a new Facebook account, but straight away he was being pestered again with blackmail as Wilson demanded more money.

Ms Campbell added: “The complainer ignored this, however the accused had messaged since again stating to handover £3,000 to her or the image she had of him would be shared with his friends and family members.

“Feeling intimidated by this the complainer engaged in conversation with the accused trying to prevent her from doing so. However, every time he engaged in replying to a message, the accused would send another message saying the image would be sent.”

Eventually, the teenager kept her promise and shared the picture to the man’s mother, father and current parter who “were all alarmed by the image”.

Some of his work colleagues were also on the receiving end of his intimate photos before Wilson tried contacting him again, this time on Snapchat.

“She messaged him demanding £800 or the photo would be distributed. He ignored, however it soon became known to him that she had sent the image to a number of people and to people from within his place of work,” Ms Campbell explained.

When she was being taken to the police station, Wilson said to police: “Is it that boy from Ayr? I know what this is all about.”

Defending Wilson, her solicitor Stephen Maguire said there were several discrepancies in how the contact was made and the court narrative doesn’t reflect the full extent of the pair’s communication. He told the court: “An unusual case it’s fair to say. Miss Wilson appreciates the serious nature of the crimes committed here. It’s fair to say there are some significant discrepancies. The screenshots don’t represent the full extent of their contact and the bottom line is she knows what was discussed between them.

“There are some discrepancies which, given the nature of the case that’s understandable, but that’s the situation and sometimes you can’t square the circle in these cases.”

“To involve other people was inexcusable”, Mr Maguire added, “Her perspective is the complainer is a few years older than she is. He contacted her initially and matters progressed from there and she recalls being blocked at one stage then being unblocked as the complainer tried to get back in touch with her again. He takes a different view of course.

“She does regret involving other people by contacting his parents and contacting his employers.”

Sheriff Liam Murphy said: “These are serious offences which you pleaded guilty to, which you well understand caused a significant impact on this man and those close to him and those who employ him.

“I’m going to approach this case on the basis of the narrative presented to me by the Crown and also the specification of each of the charges you pleaded guilty to.”

Campbell was handed a 120 hour community payback order.