Conviction of Auckland Socialite for Unauthorized Distribution on OnlyFans
Auckland socialite, Pebbles Hooper, has been convicted and sentenced to six months of supervised rehabilitation after unlawfully distributing intimate content via the subscription-based platform, OnlyFans. The sentencing was delivered by Judge Skellern, marking a significant case under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.
Details of the Offense
The controversy began when Hooper posted two private videos on OnlyFans, setting up a $100 paywall, reportedly to discourage viewership and shield the identity of the man in the videos. Despite her intentions, the action led to significant distress for the individual involved, who repeatedly requested the removal of the content. His pleas were only met after OnlyFans terminated Hooper's account following a formal police complaint.
Legal Consequences and Defense
In court, Hooper's defense argued that her actions were an attempt to expose the victim, who was anonymously interacting with her explicit content against her wishes. Nonetheless, Judge Skellern found Hooper guilty, citing the emotional harm inflicted on the victim due to her actions. The court held that her use of the platform not only violated the individual’s privacy but also contradicted directives from a prior 2019 court order, where she was instructed not to publicly identify or incriminate another individual involved in a separate case.
Impact on Career and Future Prospects
The conviction has notably affected Hooper’s employment opportunities, as emphasized by the court during sentencing. Hooper’s legal team had requested a discharge without conviction, citing challenges posed by a virtual court setting, but the request was denied to underline the seriousness of the misuse of digital platforms for personal motives.
Dismissal of Additional Charges
Alongside the central allegations, additional charges that Hooper violated media suppression laws and targeted a media personality on social media were dismissed. The court focused solely on the breach of the Harmful Digital Communications Act and the violation of court orders from previous legal interactions.
