**Victim Speaks Out After Ex-Partner Convicted of Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent**
A Welsh woman has revealed the traumatic ordeal she endured after her former partner distributed private images of her without consent, in a case highlighting the damaging impact of so-called “revenge porn”. Laura, whose first name is being used to protect her identity, has spoken out in the hope that her experiences will encourage others affected by image-based sexual abuse to seek justice.
Originally from Abergavenny, Laura describes the profound shock and betrayal she felt after her ex, Ian Davis, disseminated intimate photographs. For Laura, the emotional toll was immense, with the breach of trust sending ripples throughout her personal and family life. She recounted feeling frightened at what Davis might be capable of next, fearing the lasting consequences of his actions.
Laura and Davis’s relationship had been on and off, spanning several years. After rekindling their relationship in 2015, plans for marriage were shelved due to Laura’s concerns about their compatibility. The subsequent end of their relationship coincided with a period of vulnerability for Laura, compounded further by personal and societal disruptions triggered by the pandemic.
During the months following their split, Laura and Davis maintained some form of communication, including exchanging sexual messages. Laura believes that, with hindsight, she continued these conversations to placate Davis and avoid further distress at a time when her own mental health was fragile. Matters came to a head in 2021, when Laura began a new relationship with her now-partner, Tom. She says Davis’s behaviour escalated upon realising she had moved on, despite her efforts to block him on social media and limit contact.
The situation reached crisis point in September 2022, shortly after Laura and Tom discovered they were expecting a baby together. In an act Laura describes as both vindictive and distressing, Davis sent two intimate images and private messages to Tom, attempting to suggest infidelity. Laura and Tom, recognising the gravity of the act, reported the matter to Gwent Police, who Laura describes as being wholly supportive from the outset.
Throughout the investigation and subsequent trial, Laura praised the sensitivity and professionalism of law enforcement and the wider criminal justice team. She described particular gratitude for Tom’s steadfast support, stating that without his encouragement and calm, she may have struggled to come forward. “Reporting it to the police was the only way I could truly regain control over my life,” she says, adding that while embarrassment and shame were difficult to manage, pursuing justice was essential.
The court process was not without its challenges—Laura noted that testifying and being cross-examined was an emotionally taxing experience. However, she insists the outcome made it worthwhile. In March 2025, Ian Davis, of Old Court Road, Llanvetherine, Monmouthshire, stood trial at Newport Crown Court and was found guilty of sharing intimate photographs with intent to harm, distress, or humiliate.
On 9 May 2025, Davis received a suspended seven-month prison sentence, a five-year restraining order, compulsory rehabilitation, 150 hours of unpaid work, and was ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge. His defence cited his work record and lack of relevant previous convictions, but Recorder Robin Rouch made clear the serious impact Davis’s actions had on Laura.
Laura’s decision to share her experience publicly is driven by a desire to raise awareness and to remind people of the enduring consequences of sharing private images without consent. She urges anyone receiving such images never to distribute them further, emphasising the potential for lasting harm to victims’ wellbeing and relationships. “It’s not shameful to send someone you trust an intimate photo,” she says, “but it can be deeply damaging when that trust is betrayed.”
For those affected by similar offences, support is available through organisations such as Rape Crisis England & Wales, the Survivors Trust, and the Live Fear Free Helpline, all offering confidential advice and assistance. Laura’s story serves as both a warning and a beacon of hope; a reminder that victims can reclaim their voice and seek justice, despite the challenges of facing one’s abuser in court.
Laura’s journey also reflects the importance of a supportive network and a compassionate legal process. She credits the professionals and loved ones who guided her through, stressing that being believed and understood from the beginning made all the difference. Ultimately, Laura hopes her experience will encourage others to come forward, reminding survivors that they are not alone and that help is available.