Teen ‘live-streamed friend’s rape on Periscope’

Periscope lets you broadcast live video to the world. Going live will instantly notify your followers who can join, comment and send you hearts in real time. Picture: Periscope

Periscope lets you broadcast live video to the world. Going live will instantly notify your followers who can join, comment and send you hearts in real time. Picture: Periscope

Published Apr 15, 2016

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Columbus, Ohio - A teenager has been charged with live streaming the alleged rape of her 17-year-old friend.

Marina Lonina, 18, is accused of filming the assault at a house in Columbus, Ohio, on 27 February.

She and her co-defendant, Raymond Gates, 29, are charged with rape, kidnapping, sexual battery and pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.

Lonina was also charged with illegal use of a minor in a nudity-oriented material or performance.

Authorities were contacted when a friend of the victim saw the alleged images on smartphone app Periscope, which allows users to stream events live.

Ron O’Brien, the Franklin County prosecutor, said Lonina and the victim were socialising with Gates when he raped the 17-year-old girl as his alleged accomplice filmed.

Lonina had also taken a nude picture of the victim on the previous evening, Mr O''Brien said.

“If Gates and Lonina are convicted for these charges, they each face a potential sentence in excess of forty years in prison,” he added.

* Additional reporting by AP

The Independent

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