R v Nimmo and Sorley (2014)

Citation

Barker K (2018) R v Nimmo and Sorley (2014). In: Rackley E & Auchmuty R (eds.) Women's Legal Landmarks: Celebrating 100 Years of Women and the Law in the UK and Ireland. Oxford: Hart, pp. 605-610. https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/womens-legal-landmarks-9781782259770/

Abstract
The judgment in R v Nimmo & Sorley (2014) has changed the perception of social media offences in England and Wales. The decision in this case followed a short – but significant – period whereby social media abuses such as trolling, and harassment were prevalent but often remained outside of the focus of the criminal law. This decision saw the first custodial sentences issued to the defendants for their sustained abusive messages made via social media platform Twitter, to two women – Caroline Criado-Perez and Stella Creasy – for campaigning to have women on banknotes. This decision is significant not only in the development of prosecutions for social media offences, but also because it is the first judgment issuing custodial sentences for abusive social media messages against women. Additionally, it was the first decision handed down under the revised guidance on social media prosecutions from the Director of Public Prosecutions issued in light of Chambers v DPP . Despite this, the misogynist harassment of women is still prevalent – the message remains unchanged while the medium is new.

Keywords
Social media; Internet law; Misogyny