Soldier Jailed for Secretly Recording Ex-Girlfriend
Military Court Hands Down Sentence in Intimate Image Case
A New Zealand soldier has been sentenced to detention after admitting to recording a former partner during sexual activity, highlighting a growing concern over image-based sexual abuse. The case underscores the need for clear boundaries and consent in all intimate interactions.
Court Martial Details
Corporal Manu Anthony Smith, 41, received a two-month jail sentence following a three-day court martial at Burnham Military Camp. He was found guilty of taking intimate images of the woman between August and December 2020, while they were in a relationship.
The military panel also ordered Smith to pay $2000 in compensation to the woman. While the conviction will result in a formal written warning for the next year, he will remain in the army.
“The case was one of law, not of morals. The panel must not let beliefs about the way Smith or the complainants were living their lives colour deliberations.”
—Judge Gilbert
Two other charges initially brought against Smith were dropped during the second day of the proceedings. The court heard testimony from the woman who was filmed, who expressed feelings of shame and embarrassment as a result of the recording.
Service Record Acknowledged
Despite the severity of the offense, Smith’s commanding officer testified to his dedication and enthusiasm as a soldier, noting his past service and decorations earned in Afghanistan’s Bamiyan province. Family members also spoke of his commitment to the armed forces and his strong character.
According to a 2023 report by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, approximately 1 in 6 women and 1 in 25 men have experienced image-based sexual abuse, often perpetrated by a former intimate partner. NNEDV Report (2023)
Unanimous Verdict
The three-person military panel reached a unanimous guilty verdict after less than two hours of deliberation. Judge Gilbert emphasized that the central issue was whether Smith made the video, a fact that was not disputed by either party. The court focused on the legal aspects of the case, striving for impartiality.
The sentencing reflects a growing legal and social awareness of the harm caused by non-consensual intimate imagery, and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable.
