An investigation from the BBC has revealed that Ben Gunnery had been targeting numerous women, many of whom work in the music industry, for over a decade
Violinist Ben Gunnery, 46, has received a twelve‑month suspended prison sentence at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on 9 February, after admitting to sending unsolicited sexually explicit images to two women he had contacted online.
Gunnery, who has performed internationally throughout his career, approached the women online in November 2025, four months after he had been convicted of sending similar images to another woman.
According to the court, Gunnery initiated contact with both women and, within days, sent them unsolicited indecent photographs.
The women later reported the behaviour to police after watching a BBC interview with Gunnery’s earlier victim, musician Anna Downes from Worcestershire. In that interview, Downes described the significant emotional impact of receiving the images and said the experience had left her traumatised and struggling to sleep.
‘Most men are not like this and this behaviour needs to be called out. It’s not something that I want my sons to think is normal,’ Downes, who waived her right to anonymity, told the BBC.
‘It’s very easy to feel some element of shame and keep it to yourself. But right from the word go, I was determined I wasn’t going to do that.’
Gunnery sent hundreds of unsolicited photos to numerous women, many of whom work in the music industry. An investigation undertaken by the BBC revealed that he had been targeting women for more than a decade.
Gunnery’s new offences resulted in the twelve-month sentence, suspended for two years. If he reoffends during that time, he will serve half the time in prison with the rest on licence.
Gunnery will remain on the sex offenders’ register for ten years and was given a five-year sexual harm prevention order. He will only be able to have one mobile phone and internet device.
The court additionally ordered him to complete a drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme, following his statement that his addictions played a role in his actions.
No comments yet