The accused was tried on charges of extortion and publication of an intimate image without consent arising from communications between former intimate partners and the appearance of explicit images on social media accounts.
The court found serious reliability and credibility problems in the complainant's evidence, the accused's evidence, the documentary record, and the video recordings, including concerns about incomplete electronic messages, disputed authorship, possible editing, and uncertain timing of any withdrawal of consent.
Applying the criminal burden of proof, the court held the Crown failed to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused posted the images at a time when consent was absent or withdrawn, or that the accused used threats to induce payment.
The accused was acquitted on both counts.
