Six Lunenburg County teens who pleaded guilty to sharing intimate images of more than 20 girls without consent were given conditional discharges.
Judge Paul Scovil handed down the sentences early this afternoon in Bridgewater Provincial Court.
Their conditions include 50 hours of community service, counselling if directed, and no contact with the victims for nine months unless consent is given.
The defence were asking for an absolute discharge.
Crown Prosecutor Peter Dostal says he’s pleased to have closure.
“These young persons were not in any way bad kids. They weren’t in any way different from a lot of young persons out there in schools. I think if they suffered from anything it was a lack of awareness and lack of maturity.”
The six teens each stood up in court and expressed remorse for their actions and took full responsibility.
Dostal says the teens made wrong choices and abused the trust and integrity of girls between the ages of 13 and 18.
“This kind of conduct can have catastrophic consequences upon very vulnerable young persons and can potentially follow them for the rest of their lives and so for that reason we continue to emphasize this is a very serious offence.”
Other conditions include meeting with police and school board staff in the next nine months to help create educational material.
Scovil acknowledged the young men have already met some of the conditions.
All of the offenders were under 18 when offences were committed.
Their identities are protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
