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In one of the most bizarre cybercrime cases we've heard about, a woman has been charged for 'cyber-farting' at her partner's ex-girlfriend.
While the strange act didn't involve her sending legions of angry Ameca robots to expel microchips out of their rears (do they even have them?) on her doorstep, cyber-farting is pretty much exactly what you’d think it is.
In the United Kingdom's first-ever case of cyber-farting, 25-year-old Rhiannon Evans sent several videos over the Christmas period and has now been charged.
Prosecutor Diane Williams had to explain to magistrates in Caernarfon, North Wales, how a number of videos were sent to Evans' ex, where she "proceeds to pass gas by placing the camera on her bottom and passing the gas."
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Three videos were reportedly sent on December 22, with four more gas-related incidents spanning the period between Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
Each video showed "Miss Evans passing wind, her face smiling at the camera."
As reported by The Sun, Deborah Prytherch says she was 'bombarded' with videos from Evans and that she "would like to feel safe" at her home. Instead, she claimed she's been feeling anxious thanks to Evans' actions.
Evans admitted she'd sent the videos when she was arrested at her home in Caernarfon. According to the prosecutor, the perpetrator "suggested she wanted to send videos because she felt her partner was being treated unfairly."
She reportedly didn't know that sending these videos could be considered a criminal offense and questioned why the plaintiff hadn't blocked her.
After being handed a 12-month community order and ordered to pay a total of £299 (around $370) in compensation and costs, Evans has defended her actions to The Sun. Calling the case 'petty' Evans added: "I never thought farting would land me in court. I think the sentence is a bit excessive and dramatic. We are living in a very ‘snowflake’ generation.
“I sent the messages on WhatsApp. I do have regrets, but I wouldn't have thought I would be here for something like this, to be honest. It's petty."
She concluded: "I've learned my lesson."
As well as the cyber-farting case costing Evans, she has to attend 15 rehabilitation sessions, be subjected to 60 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring, and has a two-year restraining order from the victim.
While the UK's first cyber-farting case is a serious offense, it's led to much hilarity online.
One questioned whether it was satire, with someone else adding: "What in the world is going on in the UK 💀."
There were plenty of jokes about 'freeing' Evans, while another chimed in: "Watch this case set a precedent. Next up: Burp-based harassment lawsuits. UK legal system keeps topping itself."
Someone else mocked the entire situation as they concluded: "Pretty innovative UK. Now, not only language via text transmission can be interpreted as hurty feelings...but air-pressure reverberations can be interpreted as hurty feelings too.
"I bet they claim the pitch of the fart had all the right-wing extremist markings. 🤣."
