New guidance in 'revenge porn' cases will call for deletion of intimate images

CPS will urge prosecutors to end anomaly by which perpetrators get to retain content on their devices

- Shanti Das

The Crown Prosecution Service is to update its guidance on so-called "revenge porn" crimes to stop perpetrators being allowed to keep explicit photos of their victims.

The Observer revealed last month that magistrates courts were routinely failing to make orders for the deletion of content linked to intimate-image abuse cases - and that prosecutors were failing to request them.

An analysis of court records found that, of 98 cases, just three resulted in a deprivation order requiring the offender to give up their devices and delete private photos and videos.

In one case, a man was rebuked by magistrates for "deeply disturbing" behaviour "designed to emotionally blackmail" his victim. He was given a suspended sentence but no deprivation order, leaving the police with no legal power to retain and wipe his devices.