December 1, 2004
Phone snapper's illicit topless shots
A Sydney labourer has become the first person in NSW to be prosecuted for taking pictures of topless women with his mobile phone.
Peter Mackenzie was fined 500 Australian dollars (US$388), and warned by the judge that women are "not objects of decoration for men's gratification". His mobile phone will be destroyed.
He pretended to be talking on his phone as he strolled along the beach. But as he passed the topless sunbathers, he would pause and take a photo of their breasts.
The case is believed to be the first time the charge of causing a public offence has been used to prosecute the illicit use of a mobile phone.
Pauline Wright, chairwoman of the Criminal Law Committee of the Law Society of NSW, said the "creative use" of such a charge reflected the failure of current legislation to cater for new mobile phone technology. (via News.com)
Euh... no pics to illustrate this post, sorry!
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