A British Army soldier was court-martialed after reporting that an unknown person had obtained nude photographs from his phone and threatened him after identifying him on social media. He initially agreed to pay £100 (about $133), but refused a later demand for £250 (about 33,000 yen). He pleaded guilty at a July 30 hearing, and his appeal was dismissed in August 2026.
Threats over photos
On January 19, Barton-Kennedy reported to his platoon commander that he had received a message “from an unknown person who had obtained nude photos of him from the photo section of his cell phone and who had identified him on social media.”
Burton-Kennedy initially agreed to pay the attackers £100, but balked when they demanded £250. He only later told his platoon leader what had happened.
Burton-Kennedy was eventually court-martialed and pleaded guilty at a July 30 hearing.
According to court filings, Barton-Kennedy said he understood the order given at the time but asked the court to “consider the personal circumstances” he was facing. Without his mobile phone, he said, he was unable to contact his daughter on her birthday or his pregnant partner.
In a written statement, Burton-Kennedy said he was stunned when he received the first threatening message.
“While I remain in a state of shock and anxiety, I recognize that I have an obligation to report a compromise proposal without further delay,” he wrote.
He added that he “deeply regrets” the incident, describing service in the British Army as “one of the greatest privileges of my life.”
Burton-Kennedy appealed the verdict, but the appeal was dismissed in August 2026.
Army response
In response to a request for comment, British Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel EP McKee told Ars in a statement that the security measures imposed are intended to protect military personnel.
“Violations of Army security measures that could compromise personal security or operational security can be swiftly addressed, and violating personnel can be expected to receive uncompromising disciplinary action,” he wrote.
Source: arstechnica.com
