Rand Kirkorian, a 41-year-old painter, pleaded guilty to a trio of charges against former intimate partners, including sharing explicit images without their consent. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

guilty pleas

Nanaimo man sentenced for sharing explicit images of former partners

Jul 25, 2023 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — A vindictive man used intimate images to retaliate against a pair of women, including his ex-wife.

Rand Kirkorian, 41, was handed 18 months probation in the form of a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to two counts of publishing intimate images without consent.

During a Thursday, July 20 sentencing hearing in provincial court in Nanaimo, Kirkorian also agreed to a 12 month peace bond against a third woman, in replacement of an assault allegation against her.

All of the incidents took place in 2021 and 2022 where court was told Kirkorian poorly handled the break-up with his wife in Ontario.

Editor’s note: To protect the privacy of victims, NanaimoNewsNOW is choosing not to identify the two women involved in this case.

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Facts of the case laid out by the Crown’s Kaitlyn Tourangeau stated in November 2021 Kirkorian used an image of himself having sex with his ex-wife as his Facebook profile picture.

The offender then sent a nude image of another intimate partner to his ex-wife in January 2022.

Both images were used by Kirkorian without either woman’s consent.

“These are serious charges and they are ones that very much impact the autonomy of these women and women generally,” Tourangeau told court.

In a victim impact statement, the offender’s ex-wife said his actions caused severe emotional, mental and financial trauma.

“I have a hard time trusting people, I’m always second-guessing everything and looking over my shoulder. I struggle with relationships and have a hard time concentrating,” she wrote.

She called Kirkorian extremely persistent and malicious.

“Rand has degraded me beyond belief and has used intimidation to keep me living in fear of what he will do next.”

Kirkorian was convicted of criminally harassing the woman in 2021 in Ontario.

The second intimate image victim stated she’s embarrassed about entertaining the idea starting a relationship with Kirkorian.

“I was violently ill, throwing up for three days, I wanted out of my own skin,” she wrote.

She’s concerned about who else could see the image Kirkorian shared with his ex-wife.

“I became distant with those around me and don’t feel comfortable letting anyone else in. I experienced trouble trusting people.”

Kirkorian was arrested in April 2022.

His lawyer said his client didn’t handle the break-up with his wife well and stated Kirkorian has made positive strides in his life.

Kirkorian declined to provide a statement to the court.

The suspended sentence designation ensures Kirkorian will have a criminal record for the offences.

His probation conditions include not sharing any imagery involving the three victims, along with counseling provisions.

Kirkorian’s sentence was the result of a joint recommendation accepted by judge Ron Lamperson.

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