BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOR the first time in the history of court trials in the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, a judge has awarded damages to individuals for a sex tape that went viral.
A couple was this morning (Mar. 21) awarded damages to the tune of EC$500,000 when they appeared in the Nevis Circuit Court before Resident Judge, Her Ladyship Justice Lorraine Williams concerning a case of breach of privacy.
Information reaching SKNVibes state that a young man was apprehended by police on Nevis sometime in 2013 on suspicion of a robbery.
While in custody at the Charlestown Police Station, the officers took the young man’s cell phone, removed the memory card and accessed the contents on one of the station’s computer. However, in so doing, the officers came across a video recording of the young man and his girlfriend engaged in sexual acts.
Reportedly, the police officers then downloaded the video to their cell phones and disseminated it to a number of individuals, which went viral on social media and various cell phone apps.
In that video, only the lower parts of the male’s anatomy were visible while his girlfriend’s face was fully-exposed.
The couple got wind of it and, as a consequence, they filed a motion against the State – the Attorney-General and the Commissioner of Police – for breach of their constitutional rights, not to be arbitrarily searched, for having their property taken from them without their consent, and for breaching their privacy by the unconsented distribution of their sex tape.
The matter was heard before the said judge in December last and judgment was handed down this morning.
In handing down her 12-page judgment, Justice Williams condemned the egregious act perpetrated by agents of the State (Police Officers) and awarded the female EC$350,000 and the male EC$150,000 in damages.
The couple was represented by Attorney-at-Law Angelina Gracy Sookoo of the Law Offices of Sylvester Anthony, while the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Police were represented by Violet Williams, Crown Counsel in the Attorney-General’s Office.
It was also reported that the High Command of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force would be taking disciplinary action against the guilty officers.
