An Ipswich man uploaded vile video footage of the body of a dead motorcyclist in the immediate aftermath of a road traffic collision.
Arturas Motuzis, 38, of Chilton Court, Belstead Avenue, Ipswich, admitted an offence under section 127(1) of the Communications Act 2003 when he appeared at Suffolk Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 19th December 2024.
Motuzis was also admitted using a handheld mobile phone whilst driving.
It is an offence under section 127(1) of the 2003 Act for a person to send, by means of a public electronic communications network, a message or other matter that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character. The maximum sentence, on summary conviction, is 26 weeks' custody and/or an unlimited fine.
Magistrates heard that the collision occurred on the A14 at Sproughton, Ipswich, on the early evening of Tuesday, 4th June 2024.
Motuzis, who was driving home from work, passed on the opposite carriageway. As he did he used his mobile phone to record footage of the scene, including the body of motorcyclist Kevin Doherty.
The footage was later uploaded to a Facebook traffic information group, which resulted in numerous requests for it to be removed. The police were also informed about the graphic nature of the video.
The following day Motuzis was identified and arrested. In interview he made full admissions and said he was remorseful for his actions.
Addressing the defendant, the Presiding Justice said: "We have just heard of the vile actions you took on 4th June. This is one of the most distasteful things we have heard for many years in this court."
Motuzis was fined a total of £900.
He was also ordered to pay £360 surcharge and £85 towards prosecution costs.
His licence was endorsed with 6 penalty points.
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