Police have charged a Lot 105 Den Amstel, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) man after a young woman said he threatened to release a nude photo of her unless she paid him.
Lemuel Dundas, 22, a butcher, faced three charges when he appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts on Tuesday.
The offences were allegedly committed on May 9 at Stevedore Housing Scheme, South Ruimveldt, Georgetown. Dundas is accused of using a computer system to transmit electronic data that intimidated the virtual complainant.
Remanded: Lemuel Dundas
He is also accused of using a computer system with the intent to extort a benefit from the woman by threatening to publish electronic data containing personal or private information which could cause her public ridicule, contempt, hatred, or embarrassment.
It is further alleged that he intentionally, and without lawful excuse or justification, acquired electronically a nude photograph and a video of the nude virtual complainant.
In objecting to bail for the defendant, the Police prosecutor cited the serious nature and prevalence of the offence while noting that Dundas is currently under investigation after nude photos of several women were found in his mobile phone.
The prosecution’s objections were upheld, and Dundas was refused bail and remanded to prison. The matters will be called again on August 14 for him to be served with statements.
There are reports of Dundas being arrested back in March for attempting to extort money from a female by convincing her that he had nude photographs of her.
When he was arrested by the Police, he reportedly declined to contact his family members. With his family reportedly unable to contact him, they filed a missing person report.
The Cyber Crime Act criminalises the capturing, storage and transmission through a computer system of the image of a person’s genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or breast without his/her consent. If found guilty by a Magistrate, a person can be fined $3 million and jailed for three years, or if found guilty by a Judge and Jury, a person can be fined $8 million and be imprisoned for five years. (G1)
