Over several years, Bates digitally altered photos of his victims, superimposing their faces onto pornographic material and fabricating fake profiles on adult websites to advertise them for sexual services—all to satisfy his depraved desires.

The Truro Crown Court in Cornwall handed down the sentence, revealing Bates as a man who exploited trust and technology to devastate lives. His victims included two teachers and a woman he had met only once—at a funeral. These women now live in constant fear and humiliation, their personal and professional lives irreparably damaged.

One victim shared in court that she could not understand why Bates had chosen to ruin her life. She explained that the ordeal forced her to abandon her job and career, leaving her professional reputation in tatters. The emotional and psychological toll, she added, had been overwhelming.

Prosecutors detailed how Bates, a cunning manipulator, first gained the trust of his victims before mining their social media accounts for personal photos and information. Between 2017 and 2022, he used this data to produce pornographic deepfakes, complete with the victims’ names, addresses, phone numbers, and employment details. The consequences were immediate and devastating. One victim was confronted at her home by a man demanding an explanation for missing a supposed online-arranged date. Another was approached in public by strangers asking about the sexual services she was falsely advertised as offering.

During a police raid on Bates’ home, officers discovered nine USB drives containing thousands of explicit images of his victims. Bates attempted to evade responsibility by claiming his computer had been hacked—a feeble excuse that held no weight.

Despite efforts to remove the fabricated images and profiles, prosecutors emphasized that the internet’s relentless nature means the victims’ humiliation may never fully disappear. Another victim expressed her despair in court, calling the situation the tip of the iceberg. She feared the images would resurface in the future and admitted she was exhausted by the ongoing trauma.

Bates, who reportedly served multiple military tours and suffers from PTSD, pleaded guilty to four counts of stalking and one charge of revenge porn against his ex-wife. However, his military background and mental health struggles do not justify his abhorrent actions. Judge Simon Carr condemned Bates for deriving pleasure from the terror he inflicted, stating that he had destroyed the lives of four women for his own amusement. Carr emphasized that the victims would carry the burden of knowing these degrading images would remain online indefinitely.

Each victim was granted a 10-year restraining order against Bates, but the damage he inflicted is irreversible. This case serves as a stark reminder of how technology can be weaponized to destroy lives and how predators like Bates will go to any lengths to fulfill their twisted desires.

The broader question remains: how many more victims are suffering in silence, and when will society take decisive action to combat this form of digital abuse?