A Swansea man has been sentenced after using an “undressing” app to digitally alter photographs of girls taken from Instagram, including images from a 15th birthday party.
Darren Richards, 45, of Orchard Street, Swansea, pleaded guilty to possession of an indecent pseudo-image of a child at Swansea Crown Court. The case came to light when Richards lent an old Huawei phone to someone, and the doctored images were discovered in the photo gallery when the device was powered up.
The court heard that Richards had downloaded an AI-based app which could digitally remove clothing from people in photographs. Ryan Bowen, prosecuting, told the court the pictures were screengrabs taken from Instagram accounts.
Judge Paul Thomas KC described Richards’ actions as “sleazy” and bordering on those of a paedophile. He said Richards was previously a man of clean character but now his reputation had been “irretrievably damaged”.
Giles Hayes, defending, said Richards had already lost a great deal including his job and partner as a result of his offending, and stood in the dock “in deep shame and embarrassment”.
Richards was sentenced to 12 months in prison suspended for 24 months, ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also made subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and will be a registered sex offender for the same period.
