Court: Hawarden man sentenced for disclosing sexual image

Thomas Hodgkinson, of Greenhill Avenue, appeared at Mold Magistrates Court on Thursday.

The 20-year-old admitted one offence of disclosing or threatening to disclose private sexual photographs or films with intent to cause distress.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, told the court that Hodgkinson had sent an image of the victim to another person in 2022.

In her statement, which Mr Espie read to the court, the victim said the act had left her frightened.

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Mike Pugh, defending, told the court: "He enters his guilty plea at the earliest opportunity and is extremely nervous to find himself before the court today.

"He's fully accepting of the offence for which he finds himself here.

"He is incredibly ashamed of what he did and took full accountability for it.

"Mr Hodgkinson was arrested and interviewed by the police - I was with him that day and he presented very much as a very vulnerable and extremely nervous person.

"He said 'I have behaved in a way which is unacceptable and out of character and I wholeheartedly apologise.'

"There is very much a degree if immaturity about what he did."

The court heard the defendant, who works as a chef at the Glynne Arms pub, "struggles with his mental health." 

After the defendant was interviewed by the probation service, the Magistrates opted to impose a 12 month community order with up to 10 days of rehabilitation activity and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He must also pay £85 costs and a £95 victim surcharge.