A Perth man with a history of domestic violence has once again avoided prison time after being convicted of distributing intimate images of his former partner without her consent in what's commonly known as a revenge porn offence.
Repeat Offender Faces Justice Again
Ryan John Tucker, a 31-year-old from the northern suburbs of Perth, appeared in Joondalup Magistrates Court where he received his second suspended imprisonment term within months. The court heard disturbing details of how Tucker sent explicit photos of his former partner to her mother and stepfather in November 2022.
Magistrate Matthew Holgate presided over the case, noting the significant impact the offence had on the victim. The prosecution detailed how Tucker had accessed the private images from the woman's phone without her knowledge or consent, then proceeded to distribute them to her family members.
A Pattern of Abuse and Control
This latest offence adds to Tucker's concerning history of domestic violence. Just months earlier, in August 2023, he had received a suspended seven-month prison sentence for physically assaulting the same woman. That incident involved Tucker grabbing the victim by the throat and pushing her against a wall during an argument.
Police prosecutor Senior Constable Craig Park told the court that Tucker's actions constituted "a significant breach of trust" and represented a form of psychological abuse aimed at humiliating and controlling his victim even after their relationship had ended.
The defence lawyer attempted to argue for leniency, claiming Tucker had been struggling with mental health issues and substance abuse problems at the time of the offences. However, Magistrate Holgate emphasized the serious nature of image-based abuse and its devastating consequences for victims.
Legal Consequences and Sentencing
Despite the gravity of the offence, Tucker received an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. The sentencing means he will avoid actual jail time unless he reoffends during the suspension period.
In addition to the suspended sentence, Tucker was ordered to comply with several conditions including:
- Completion of a domestic violence perpetrator program
- Undergoing mental health and substance abuse treatment
- Regular supervision by community corrections officers
- No contact with the victim
The maximum penalty for distributing intimate images without consent in Western Australia is three years imprisonment and a $18,000 fine, highlighting the seriousness with which lawmakers view this type of offence.
Magistrate Holgate noted that while Tucker's mental health struggles were a consideration, they did not excuse his behavior. The court emphasized that image-based abuse represents a profound violation of privacy and trust that can cause long-lasting psychological harm to victims.
This case comes amid growing community concern about domestic violence and image-based abuse throughout Australia, with advocates calling for stronger responses to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
