A teenager in Canada "has been found guilty of possessing and disseminating child pornography after sending text messages containing naked images of her ex-boyfriend's ex-girlfriend," as reported by BBC News.
The offender, who was 16 at the time, had been shown the photos by her boyfriend, then sent them to a friend, also reported BBC News. The teenager's lawyer indicated that he will challenge the verdict.
"The image in question come within the definition of child pornography," according to the judge in Victoria, British Columbia.
"The victim was of a similar age to the accused, which meant the images were deemed to be child pornography," BBC News also reported. The teenager was also charged with "uttering threats".
"Always be careful of what you allow of pictures to be taken, whaat you send to whom," said Chandra Fisher, the crown prosecutor.
"The trial focused on three images and a handful of text messages that were shared between the accused, her friend, the boyfriend and the victim," according to news reports.
"[Teenagers] need to be careful what they send, what they send to each other and where it might end up."
Christopher Mackie, the lawyer representing the teenager, said he would challenge the verdict on constitutional grounds.
"These child pornography laws were intended to protect children, not to persecute them", he told CBC. He said it was a "heavy hammer" to be using.
Mackie "told the court that it was unconstitutional to charge youths who sext with child-pornography offences because it was legal for adults to text "erotic images," BBC News also reported.
The case is scheduled to be back in court on January 28 in order to set a date for the hearing of constitutional arguments.
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