Who Is Kirsty Crooks? Irish Woman Cleared Of All Charges In Legal Battle Over Ex-Boyfriend's Files

Kirsty Crooks, previously faced legal charges for allegedly accessing her ex-boyfriend’s computer files without permission. After a final hearing in Belfast's Laganside Magistrates Court, she was exonerated of all charges. Stephen Hollywood, her ex-partner, made the main accusations in the case, claiming that Crooks had unlawfully accessed his personal information following their 2023 breakup. The 26-year-old Crooks vehemently refuted these accusations, insisting throughout the trial that she had been given complete access to his accounts.

Relationship History and AllegationsPrior to their breakup in 2023, Kirsty Crooks and Stephen Hollywood were romantically involved for three years. It was disclosed during the court hearings that Crooks found out that Hollywood was sending one of his relatives pornographic images of women on Snapchat. Their relationship suffered a great deal as a result of this occurrence, which happened while they were still together. When Crooks faced Hollywood about the pictures, the studio tried to mend their relationship, but Crooks turned them down. Hollywood filed accusations at this time, claiming that Crooks had illegally accessed his Snapchat account and other personal information. Defense and Court StatementsCrooks testified in her defense, saying that during their relationship, Hollywood had willingly given her access to his account credentials. She mentioned that they frequently used each other's electronics and social media accounts when they were together. Hollywood's activities were not hidden, Crooks said the court, because he had voluntarily given her access, making her acts legitimate."You don’t share passwords if you don’t want someone accessing your account,” Crooks testified. She said that, thinking she still had his authorization, she had checked Hollywood's Snapchat account to verify rumors of his improper behavior. In addition, Crooks disclosed that Hollywood had placed an internal security camera, which he purportedly used to keep an eye on her behavior while they were dating. Court VerdictCrooks maintained her composure during the proceedings, emphasizing that her actions were within the parameters of the access Hollywood had given her. Hollywood refuted ever giving Crooks his password, but the court was not persuaded by this claim. After hearing testimony, District Judge Anne Marshall declared Crooks not guilty. The judge came to the conclusion that Hollywood's testimony lacked credibility after considering all the available information. Considering that Hollywood had disclosed Crooks' account information to them when they were dating, the court concluded that there was insufficient evidence of his illegal behavior. AftermathAfter being found not guilty of any crimes, Crooks departed the court looking cheerful and relieved. She was found not guilty in the end of a case that had previously shown her as breaking privacy rules. With the decision, the former couple's protracted court struggle came to a conclusion, and Crooks was released from any further legal repercussions. The claims made against Stephen Hollywood were viewed as unfounded, especially in light of his own admission that he had shared obscene photos online. He tried to take charge of the story again, but the court found in favor of Crooks and exonerated her.