‘Drunken mistake’: How farting on camera has led to a woman's arrest in the UK

In a landmark case, a British woman who sent disturbing videos of her farts over Christmas was found guilty of “cyber-farting.”

Rhiannon Evans, 25, is said to be the first person ever charged with this crime.

It was claimed that her acts caused recipient Deborah Prytherech “anxiety and distress.”

Let’s take a closer look.

The Cyber-farting case

According to reports, Evans shared with her boyfriend’s former partner a number of clips in which she can be seen passing gas.

On December 22, three videos were sent, and four more of the same kind were sent out over the course of the following several days, including on New Year’s Day and Boxing Day.

Evans, reportedly suffering from mental health issues, was arrested at her Caernarfon home after admitting to distributing the videos after the police received a report about the incident.

Evans reportedly appeared in court for causing Deborah Prytherch, her partner’s ex-girlfriend, “distress or anxiety,” according to The Sun.

According to the site, prosecutor Diane Williams told the court that the videos of Evans passing wind were not only “inappropriate,” but also “indecent or grossly offensive.”

“She proceeds to pass gas by placing the camera on her bottom and passing the gas,” the prosecution added, describing the subject of the first video that Evans sent.

All of them show her farting. “Evans passing wind, her face smiling at the camera,” Williams added.

Prytherch claimed in her statement, which was read aloud in court, that the videos made her feel insecure at home.

“I would like to feel safe in my home,” she said.

The prosecutor said, “She suggested she wanted to send videos because she felt her partner was being treated unfairly. It was purely malicious. She was smirking throughout, and found it hilarious but the victim didn’t.”

‘Drunken mistakes’

Harriet Gorst, Evans’ defense lawyer, contended that the incident was caused by ongoing disputes between Evans’ partner and Prytherech regarding child contact.

Although she admitted that her acts had upset the victims, she clarified that Evans had been drunk at the time and had no intention of hurting them.

“At the time she sent these videos, she had some drinks, and she sent them, understanding now this has caused the victim some distress. There are some issues going on between Evans’s partner and his ex-partner with regard to child contact,” the lawyer added.

‘Living in a snowflake generation’

Despite entering a guilty plea, Evans said she never imagined that farting would put her in this perilous situation and that she feels she is part of a “snowflake generation.”

“I never thought farting would land me in court. I think the sentence is a bit excessive and dramatic,” the 25-year-old told the outlet, adding, “We are living in a very ‘snowflake’ generation.’”

“I sent the messages on WhatsApp. I do have regrets, but I wouldn’t have thought I would be here for something like this, to be honest. It’s petty. I’ve learnt my lesson,” she added.

Evans received a 12-month community order and a fine of about 300 pounds, the news outlet reported.

A two-year restraining order was also issued by the court, mandating that she attend 15 rehabilitation sessions and refrain from drinking for 60 days.

The case has sparked a flurry of online debate, with many expressing shock.

Similar bizarre laws across the world

Well, the UK boasts a fascinating array of silly statutes.

For instance, the Salmon Act of 1986. This provision requires individuals to demonstrate the lawful provenance of any salmon they possess, thereby helping to ensure that fish stocks are managed sustainably. The law was established to combat illegal fishing and protect salmon populations.

In the United Kingdom, taxi drivers are required to carry a bale of hay.

Other countries, too, have diverse legal landscapes.

In Canada, there’s a law called “no coin overload,” which is a part of the Currency Act, which limits the number of coins you can use in a single transaction to prevent large payments made entirely in small change.

Flushing toilets after use is not only a common decency but also Singapore’s policy. Not doing so in the city-state may not only lead to embarrassment but also a fine of up to S$150 if caught by an enforcement officer.

Gatecrashing (attending an event without an invitation) at weddings, funerals, and other important events in New South Wales, Australia, can result in a fine of AU$5,000 or a year in jail.

With inputs from agencies