Man given bail after posting nude photos of ex-girlfriend on social media

BELMOPAN CMC):

A 26-year-old man was released on BDZ$8,000 (one Belize dollar=US$0.49 cents) bail after he pleaded not guilty to sharing nude photographs of a 20-year-old woman with whom he once had a relationship.

Brian Lee Perriott, who faces up to five years in jail if convicted, had initially pleaded guilty to charges under the Cybercrime Act for circulating nude photos of a woman on Facebook. But after being remanded into custody for three days, he changed his plea to not guilty during sentencing hearing at the Belize City Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

In providing bail to Perriott, the court imposed several conditions, including a prohibition on social media engagement regarding the case, and a requirement to stay 100 yards away from the woman.

During the hearing on Tuesday, the prosecution had argued against the change of plea, emphasising the seriousness of the offence and the need to uphold privacy laws. The prosecution had also argued that the accused was a flight risk.

But the magistrate allowed the plea change, after defence attorney Orson ‘OJ’ Elrington told the court that new facts had been presented, noting the defence’s arguments and the lack of evidence suggesting Perriott is a flight risk.

Perriott had been accused of sharing nude photos of the woman and threatening her and her family after the relationship ended. The magistrate warned Perriott about the strict conditions of his bail and the serious consequences of any violations.

Тhе woman, а саll аgеnt rерrеѕеntаtіvе frоm Wеѕtеrn Веlіzе, rероrtеd thе іnсіdеnt tо thе роlісе аftеr rесеіvіng thе vіdео оn ↔unе 10, fоllоwіng thе еnd оf hеr rеlаtіоnѕhір wіth Реrrіоtt.