Mum catfished man on gay dating site, threatened to release sexual images then outed him
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A mother-of-three, Lucinda Pollitt, has been handed a suspended prison sentence after she catfished a bisexual man on the gay dating site FabGuys, threatened to release sexual images of him, and outed him to his mother, leading him to attempt to take his own life. Pollitt, 30, of Senator Road, Thatto Heath, Merseyside, pleaded guilty to two counts of disclosing or threatening to disclose private sexual images and one count of malicious communications at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday (4 March).
Prosecutor Helen Chenery described Pollitt’s actions as being “intended to cause maximum humiliation and distress.” Pollitt created a fake profile on FabGuys to catfish the victim and sent photos she had been sent by the man to his mother in May 2022, outing him. She also used homophobic slurs and threatened to share videos of him in sexual situations, including one in a gay sauna. The victim, who was not ready to come out as bisexual at the time, stated that he struggled to come to terms with his sexuality and felt that Pollitt had taken away his chance to come out on his own terms.
In addition to the suspended prison sentence of 12 months and 20 rehabilitation days, Pollitt was also granted a restraining order banning her from contacting the victim for 15 years. The victim, who suffered from depression and anxiety as a result of Pollitt’s actions, received a threatening text from her last March, warning him to remember what she had on him.
In mitigation, Pollitt’s defense attorney, Kate Morley, highlighted that Pollitt had no prior criminal record and was devastated to be appearing in court for the first time. Morley explained that Pollitt’s actions were not in line with her normal behavior and attributed them to the stress of looking after three children. Since her arrest, there has been no repeated behavior from Pollitt due to her shame and embarrassment.
Judge Katherine Pierpoint, passing sentence, emphasized that Pollitt’s actions had led the victim to attempt suicide. The judge noted that Pollitt’s use of offensive and homophobic language over an extended period of time, as well as sharing pictures with the victim’s mother, was designed to cause distress and hurt. Pierpoint concluded that Pollitt’s behavior was motivated by hostility towards sexual orientation.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of online harassment and the impact it can have on individuals’ mental health. The victim’s struggle with his sexuality was further exacerbated by Pollitt’s actions, highlighting the importance of respecting others’ privacy and allowing individuals to come out on their own terms. Through legal consequences and restraining orders, society must send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.
Overall, the case underscores the need for greater awareness and education around online harassment and the importance of creating a safe and inclusive online environment for all individuals. It serves as a cautionary tale of the real-world consequences of cyberbullying and the devastating impact it can have on people’s lives.
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Catfishing
