A woman harassed her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend by sending her “purely malicious” videos of herself farting, a court has heard.
Rhiannon Evans, 25, from Gwynedd, Wales, pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of Deborah Prytherch.
The court heard that the 25-year-old sent Prytherch multiple “inappropriate” videos of herself breaking wind via WhatsApp, in Britain’s first ever cyber-farting case.
Prosecutor Diane Williams told magistrates at Caernarfon Justice Centre that in the first video “she proceeds to pass gas by placing the camera on her bottom and passing the gas”.
Evans pleaded guilty to pursuing a course of conduct amounting to the harassment of Prytherch
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On December 22, three more so-called fart selfies were sent to Prytherch, and the following days saw an additional four videos which showed Evans “smiling at the camera” while passing wind.
Prytherech said the videos caused her distress and anxiety. Her victim statement said: “I would like to feel safe in my home.”
Evans, a shop worker, was arrested at her home of Mountain Street in Caernarfon.
She admitted to sending the videos and said she did so as her “partner was being treated unfairly”, the court heard.
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Prytherech said the videos caused her distress and anxiety
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She was given a 12-month community order, as well as a restraining order for two-years which prevents her from contacting Prytherech.
The 25-year-old also had to pay £300 in fines, including £100 compensation for her victim and £199 for court costs.
She was also handed 15 rehabilitation sessions and must abstain from alcohol for two months.
Williams said: “It was purely malicious. She was smirking throughout, found it hilarious but the victim didn’t.”
Harriet Gorst, defending, said: “There are some issues going on between Miss Evans’s partner and his ex-partner with regard to child contact.
The 25-year-old sent Prytherch multiple ‘inappropriate’ videos of herself breaking wind via WhatsApp
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“At the time she sent these videos she had some drinks and she sent them, understanding now this has caused the victim some distress.”
Speaking to The Sun, Evans said that she thought her sentence was “a bit excessive and dramatic”.
She claimed: “I never thought farting would land me in court. We are living in a very ‘snowflake’ generation.
“I sent the messages on WhatsApp. I do have regrets, but I wouldn’t have thought I would be here for something like this, to be honest. It’s petty.
“I’ve learned my lesson.”
