Man given suspended sentence for ‘cyberflashing’

A 70-year-old man has been handed a suspended sentence and a community order after sending unsolicited images of himself to a woman he did not know.

Simon Birdseye, of Nowton Road in Bury St Edmunds, pleaded guilty to the charge of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress of humiliation. He appeared at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 4 August where he was sentenced to eight weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

In November 2025, the victim reported to police that she had been receiving messages on Facebook from a man named Simon Birdseye, whom she did not know.

In addition to messages, he also sent selfies as well as photographs of his penis.

Birdseye was arrested on 3 December 2025.

In additional to his suspended sentence, Birdseye was handed an 18-month community order as well as a three-year restraining order. He will also have to take part in 20 rehabilitation days and pay a victim surcharge of £154.

PC Taylor Cogger, who was the office in charge of the case, said: “Birdseye’s actions were deliberate, intrusive and completely unacceptable.

“Sending unsolicited images, or ‘cyberflashing’ as it is also known, is a sexual offence. It is not harmless behaviour, it can have a lasting impact on victims making them feel violated and unsafe.

“I hope this outcome sends a clear message that sending such photographs is a serious offence and will be treated as such. I would also urge anyone who feels they have been a victim of cyberflashing to report it to the police and know that they will be taken seriously and supported."

Under the Sexual Offences and Online Safety Act, it is illegal to intentionally send or share a photograph or film of someone's genitals if the sender intends for the recipient to experience alarm, distress, or humiliation.

This includes various forms of sharing, such as messaging, “Airdrops” or physical distribution. The law also covers images that may have been altered or manipulated to appear as intimate images.

For more information about cyberflashing and how to report it, please visit: Cyberflashing | Suffolk Constabulary