Heidi Schneider sentenced for stealing woman’s phone and distributing sex videos

A recruitment officer who caught her boyfriend cheating on her in a hotel room concocted “spur of the moment” revenge to steal his lover’s phone and share her sex videos.

A woman’s “spur of the moment” revenge after catching her boyfriend cheating on her led to her stealing his lover’s phone and sharing private sex videos.

Heidi Jane Schneider, 24, was affected by methamphetamine and hadn’t slept for close to a week when she walked in on the shocking betrayal.

The Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday heard Schneider received a call from her then partner in September 2019 telling her to attend the Mantra Hotel.

Upon arrival, she found him sleeping in bed and the victim in the room.

“My client had suspicions her then partner was having an affair with the victim of this offence,” Thomas Press, for Schneider, said.

Heidi Schneider was sentenced to a good behaviour bond for distributing the woman’s sex videos. Photo: Facebook

Heidi Schneider has completely turned her life around since the offending. Photo: Facebook

Mr Press said an altercation ensued between Schneider and her partner and the victim laughed when she saw Schneider being violently assaulted.

“My client, enraged, having caught her partner cheating on her … and with clouded judgement from the methamphetamine use saw the victim’s handbag,” he said.

“In regrettable, spur of the moment action (she) took the mobile phone.”

The court heard Schneider found photos and videos of the victim engaging in sex acts with her partner and other men and sent them to her partner.

Schneider, of Plympton, pleaded guilty to theft and distributing invasive images.

Mr Press said Schneider was in a toxic, violent relationship at the time and had hardly slept for over a week, due to heavy meth use.

Mr Press said Schneider had completely turned her life around since the offending and was working as a recruitment officer and no longer using drugs.

The court heard Schneider felt “extreme guilt” and deeply regretted her actions.

During sentencing, Magistrate Teresa Anderson said it was never acceptable to send someone’s private photos without their permission.

“That’s invading people’s privacy and unfortunately it happens far too often,” she said.

“If you were the person that had images of a private nature on your phone and somebody shared those images with the world at large, you would be highly distressed.”

Magistrate Anderson sentenced Schneider to a $1000, 12-month good behaviour bond.

“Your rage really should have been at your partner, he was the one that was cheating on you,” she said.

Due to Schneider’s rehabilitation efforts, no convictions were recorded.