Justin Williams, a 33-year-old from Lon Ogwen, Bangor, found himself in the courtroom spotlight at Caernarfon Crown Court on February 11. The charge? Threatening to share intimate images of a woman on the popular adult platform OnlyFans. This alarming incident unfolded last month when Williams admitted to this distressing behavior.
Williams was handed an 18-month community order packed with rehabilitative requirements, including 140 hours of unpaid work, a 26-session "building choices" program, and 20 days of focused rehabilitation activities. Emmalyne Downing, the prosecutor, revealed that Williams had made these threats in February 2024, telling the woman he would "put your pictures on OnlyFans."
The woman, understandably shaken, expressed her turmoil in a statement. She spoke of feeling "panicked" and becoming more "security-conscious," even admitting the ordeal led to suicidal thoughts. In a sinister twist, Williams created a fake social media account in her name, attempting to exploit the situation further by offering the images for money.
Williams' history with the law isn't new. In November 2018, he was handed a suspended sentence for disclosing a private image. With 18 prior convictions for 26 offenses, his legal representative, Myles Wilson, described the actions as an "unpleasant offence." However, Wilson emphasized Williams had only threatened this time, without following through.
Judge Timothy Petts, presiding over the case, acknowledged the severity of Williams' threats but saw potential for rehabilitation. He stated, "You knew that this was something you shouldn’t be doing, but you did it anyway." Judge Petts opted against immediate custody, citing Williams' guilty plea and the potential impact on his job. Instead, Williams must pay £500 in compensation and £400 in court costs. A 10-year restraining order was also issued to protect the woman.