Snapchat video leads to prison

Friday 23 August 2019

A 20-year-old is facing ten weeks behind bars after posting a threatening and “violent” video on Snapchat, which played a part in further criminal charges against him being dropped.

Connor Priaulx’s video, which was posted on a group ‘story’ in June, was aimed at a particular victim who had been picked up by Guernsey Police that same week after allegedly being attacked.

Priaulx had been arrested and questioned under suspicion of grievous bodily harm towards the victim, who had been sent to hospital with a suspected broken eye socket.

In the video, posted in the days following the alleged attack, the defendant claimed Guernsey Police had been searching his home. He threatened the victim, calling him a “little snitch” and referred to the incident, saying “don’t even press charges”.

Although the video had not been sent directly to the victim, it is understood he was shown it by a friend. He then decided to withdraw his complaint with Guernsey Police, partly because he felt intimidated by the video.

Pictured: Connor Priaulx pleaded guilty to the charges at Guernsey's Magistrate's Court.

Priaulx took the video down after an hour, but it had already been recorded and anonymously sent to police.

“What you posted was a violent and direct threat,” Judge McKerrell said during sentencing. “There is a clear influence in my mind that it was intended to reach that person.

“There has to be an appropriate response to what you have done.”

Priaulx was also facing a charge of breaching his Supervision Order, having missed three Youth Detention appointments. The order was put in place following his one previous conviction.

He was given ten weeks Youth Detention for posting the threatening video and a further two weeks for breaching his order.

“You’ve learnt very little,” added Judge McKerrell. “In short, you blew it and I consider you will blow it again.”