Kidderminster Revenge Porn Accused Fails To Turn Up At Court

17 July 2015, 12:08 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

One of the first people due to appear in court under new revenge porn laws has had a warrant issued for his arrest after failing to turn up at a court in Worcestershire.

Alex Till was due at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday having already had a previous hearing adjourned after complaining of feeling unwell, the court heard.

The 25-year-old, of Manor Close, Kidderminster, stands accused of disclosing a private sexual photograph over Facebook with intent to cause distress.

Prosecutor Owen Beale explained to magistrates that Till had been due to attend along with a sick note explaining his initial absence from court on July 9.

He said: ``Whether he's ill or not, unfortunately one would have expected him to contact court if there was a good reason.

``In absence of that reason, I ask for a warrant without bail.''

Chairman of the bench Charles Townsend issued the warrant which means Till can now be arrested by police and brought to court at a later date.

The specific offence of revenge porn, which includes the sharing of material both on and offline, became illegal after the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill received royal assent earlier this year.

The act has a specific amendment dealing with such actions, with offenders facing up to two years in jail if convicted.