A violinist with a notable career has received a 12-month suspended prison term for sending explicit photos of himself to two women he did not know.

Ben Gunnery, a musician who has performed globally, committed the offense in November, just four months after being convicted of sending similar explicit content to another woman.

Gunnery met the women online and quickly began sending them unsolicited and explicit images of himself within a matter of days.

The two women reported the incident to the authorities after watching a BBC interview featuring Anna Downes, a previous victim of Gunnery's, who described how his actions had caused her significant distress and sleep disturbances.

This report includes information about sexual harassment that may be disturbing to some readers.

A London resident from Vauxhall, Gunnery, had previously pleaded guilty to transmitting explicit images to two women, with the intent of causing them distress or humiliation.

The inappropriate content sent to the recipients included photographs and videos of a sexual nature, depicting Gunnery in a state of arousal and engaging in intimate acts.

During a hearing at Bromley Magistrates' Court on Monday, Gunnery's defence team argued that his actions were committed under the influence of substances, and he now feels remorseful and embarrassed about his behaviour.

The defence also highlighted the significant consequences Gunnery has faced, stating that his career has been severely impacted, he is currently unemployed, and his reputation has been tarnished, resulting in him relying on benefits.

Judge Vanessa Lloyd addressed Gunnery directly, stating that his actions were premeditated and not solely the result of substance use, saying, "The drugs may have brought out a certain aspect of your personality, but the acts themselves were deliberate."

The claim of being under the influence on every occasion is disputed, with the individual's actions being seen as a recurring pattern of behavior.

Despite participating in rehabilitation programs, there has been no notable change in behavior, suggesting a lack of effectiveness in addressing the underlying issues.

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Gunnery's actions were characterized as intentional and premeditated.

The CPS noted that this was not an isolated incident, but rather a continued course of action by Gunnery.

Gunnery received a 12-month sentence, which was suspended for a period of two years, with the condition that any future offenses would result in imprisonment, serving half of the sentence and the remainder on license.

The individual will remain listed on the sex offender's register and is subject to a 10-year notification period, as well as a five-year order aimed at preventing sexual harm.

Restrictions have been placed on his access to technology, limiting him to a single mobile phone and internet device, and he has been directed to undergo rehabilitation programs for drug and alcohol issues.

According to Lloyd, failing to comply with these orders will result in immediate incarceration, emphasizing the importance of adherence.

Prosecutor Adrita Ahmed noted that the actions of Gunnery have had a profound effect on those he victimized.

Ahmed further stated that the unsolicited and unwelcome sexual images sent by Gunnery compromised the victims' sense of security, causing significant harm.

The individual's actions came to light after Anna Downes, a resident of Worcestershire, reached out to the BBC regarding the images he had sent her, sparking an investigation into his behavior.

An inquiry was initiated, and West Mercia Police eventually referred the case to the Metropolitan Police approximately six months later, leading to Gunnery's arrest and subsequent charges.

Despite having received a community order, Gunnery resumed his offending behavior mere months later.

One of the individuals affected, a Glasgow-based female musician who will be referred to as Kate, had no prior acquaintance with Gunnery before the incident.

In November 2025, Gunnery made contact with Kate online under the pretense of purchasing her music, but instead sent her a photograph and two videos.

Following her discovery of Anna's experience, Kate reached out to the authorities.

Kate explained that it was the extensive nature of the incident that prompted her to get involved, stating, "The enormity of his actions led me to take a stand."

In a statement outlining the impact of the incident on her, Kate expressed the traumatic effect it had on her.

She recounted the severe toll it took on her well-being, saying, "I suffered from significant sleep deprivation, loss of appetite, and immense stress, which ultimately resulted in lost work and flashbacks to past childhood traumas involving broken trust with men, leaving me feeling utterly humiliated."

Kate characterized his behavior as a blatant misuse of power, labeling it "entirely inappropriate, unlawful, and invasive," emphasizing that it was an unwarranted and unacceptable act by a male musician towards a female musician.

The incident has evoked a sense of incredulity in her, given that such behaviour persists as of 2025, she stated in court.

A two-year restraining order was imposed on Gunnery in connection with Kate.

Gunnery received a six-month suspended sentence, coupled with mandatory drug and alcohol rehabilitation, for the offences he committed against Kate.

Kate's husband, also a musician, expressed his outrage over Gunnery's actions in an interview with the BBC.

According to her court testimony, Kate is currently undergoing therapy and has become increasingly anxious when approached by men, which also affects her sense of security while performing on stage.

Downes, who chose to reveal her identity, emphasized the need for a more serious approach to cyberflashing, stating that she had to take matters into her own hands to investigate the incident.

In a statement made last year, Downes expressed her shock and distress, describing the experience as deeply disturbing and invasive.

Downes recounted experiencing a prolonged period of sleep disturbance, during which the unwanted images would resurface every time she closed her eyes, causing her significant distress.

Detective Inspector KP Pender commended the bravery of Gunnery's victims, who came forward to share their experiences.

According to Det Insp Pender, the victims' cooperation and willingness to participate in the investigation were crucial in holding Gunnery accountable for the reprehensible crimes committed.

Prior to his arrest in 2025 for alleged offenses, Gunnery had been actively involved in composing music for films, touring globally, and teaching music lessons to both children and adults, despite being listed on the Sex Offender's Register.

The act of cyberflashing involves the unauthorized transmission of explicit images to individuals through online platforms, including social media and messaging apps.

Additionally, this form of harassment can be perpetrated through the use of file-sharing technologies such as Bluetooth or Airdrop to send unsolicited content.

As of 31 January 2024, cyberflashing has been classified as a criminal offense in the UK, with perpetrators facing a potential prison sentence of up to two years.

A recent study conducted by Prof Clare McGlynn of Durham University and Prof Fiona Vera-Gray of London Metropolitan University revealed that women are nearly three times more likely to be victims of cyberflashing compared to men.

A significant disparity exists in the prevalence of cyberflashing, with 23% of women having fallen victim to it at some point, whereas only 8% of men have reported the same experience.

The phenomenon is particularly prevalent among younger females, with 45% of those between 18 and 24 years old having experienced cyberflashing, in contrast to 15% of their male counterparts within the same age bracket.

The available data highlights the profound impact of unwanted sexual exposure on women's autonomy, restricting their ability to fully engage in both online and offline environments, and ultimately affecting their overall physical and mental health.

Furthermore, many individuals are modifying their online behavior as a precautionary measure, with 37% of women choosing to avoid online interactions with strangers, compared to 14% of men, while 26% of women limit access to their online activities, versus 11% of men who take similar steps.

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