"Cyber-Farting" Case Highlights Unusual Forms of Online Harassment in UK Court Ruling
In a case that blends absurdity with serious social issues, 25-year-old Rhiannon Evans of the UK has pled guilty to a bizarre form of online harassment dubbed "cyber-farting." The court heard that Evans harassed her boyfriend’s ex-partner, Deborah Prytherech, by sending her multiple videos in which she deliberately passed gas while smirking at the camera. This unusual incident unfolded over the Christmas and New Year period, prompting Prytherech to seek police intervention.
The prosecution described Evans’s actions as “indecent or grossly offensive,” leading to significant distress for Prytherech. Prosecutor Diane Williams recounted one video where Evans positioned the camera to capture the act, illustrating the intention behind her bizarre antics. The court responded with a 12-month community order, a two-year restraining order preventing any contact with Prytherech, and mandated Evans to complete 15 rehabilitation sessions alongside a 60-day alcohol abstinence requirement.
Evans’s defense claimed that she acted without malice, attributing her behavior to heightened tensions regarding child custody issues and her consumption of alcohol during the holidays. However, the prosecution countered, emphasizing that her smirking demeanor reflected a clear intent to harm.
In her victim impact statement, Prytherech expressed feelings of fear and insecurity in her own home, underlining the real emotional damage inflicted by these peculiar actions. The ruling underscores that online harassment can take many forms, broadening the legal interpretation of what constitutes offensive behavior. As societal awareness of digital misconduct grows, this case serves as a reminder that all forms of harassment—regardless of how trivial they may seem—can have serious consequences.