A contestant vying for the title of Miss England, Tabitha Bennett, has spoken out against cyberbullies who stole and altered images from her Instagram account to depict her in a state of nudity. Bennett expressed her dismay over the fabricated images being circulated on fake social media profiles, which were also used to send derogatory messages to fellow beauty pageant contestants.
The 20-year-old disclosed that the online harassment she faced prompted her to contemplate withdrawing from the competition and raised doubts about the individuals she could confide in. Responding to the incident, a representative from Meta confirmed the removal of the fraudulent accounts, while the Cheshire Police initiated an investigation into the matter.
Despite being crowned Miss Lancashire in March, Bennett found herself subjected to harassment four months later. She lamented the negative turn of events, emphasizing her fondness for Instagram as a platform that had now been tainted by negativity.
In addition to the manipulated images, fake accounts utilizing Bennett’s photos targeted acquaintances, including the Miss England organizers, with abusive messages. Some accounts even shared an edited photo portraying Bennett as topless, alongside a misrepresented “chatline” phone number that was intended for a charitable event she was organizing as part of the pageant.
Bennett, hailing from Knutsford, Cheshire, reported the harassment to the local authorities two months ago, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in addressing the issue. Despite initial assurances from law enforcement, she voiced concerns about the unresolved nature of the situation.
Cheshire Police, when approached for comment by the Mirror, disclosed that they were actively pursuing leads to identify the perpetrators responsible for the harassment. They acknowledged receiving reports of fake online profiles engaging in harassment and assured the public of ongoing investigative efforts.
Vicky, Tabitha’s mother and a former Miss Blackpool, also found herself on the receiving end of abusive remarks, which she vehemently denied. Vicky clarified that Tabitha’s aspiration to become Miss England was entirely her daughter’s dream since childhood.
As the Miss England grand finals approach on November 20, Bennett expressed apprehension about a potential resurgence of malicious activities. She expressed dismay that such negativity could overshadow the excitement leading up to the prestigious event.
The situation remains unresolved, with Bennett, her family, and the authorities hoping for a swift resolution to bring an end to the distress caused by the cyberbullying incident.