A MAN ‘quite deliberately’ uploaded a naked picture of a woman to 'humiliate' her, a court heard.

Joseph Walls, 48, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to sharing a photograph or film of a person in an intimate state without consent, contrary to the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

Benedict Sayers, representing the defendant, told the court Walls posted the image for around 10 minutes before regretting his decision and taking it down.

David Farley, prosecuting, said the complainant was told of the image by a friend who had seen it.  

Mr Farley summarised parts of the victim’s impact statement.

The woman, who has lifelong anonymity and therefore cannot be identified for legal reasons, said the incident had had a ‘profound effect’ on her mental health.

She added in the statement she had become suicidal; that she struggled with her body image as well as suffering from self-harm and a lack of sleep.

Walls also admitted another charge of assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm.

Mr Farley said the defendant strangled the same complainant for between two to three seconds.

The court heard the offences were both committed in Barrow.

His barrister told the court there was no physical injury caused to the woman.

Mr Sayers added: “I seek to persuade the court to step back from custody in this case.

“The offences were committed when he was in drink with little or no planning. He deeply regrets his actions and immediately took down the photo when challenged.

“The intention to cause distress was limited. His employment would be in jeopardy if he was sent to prison today.”

His Honour Judge Guy Mathieson sentenced Walls to an 18-month sentence suspended for 18 months and ordered that he pay £1,000 in compensation to the woman as a ‘gesture of remorse’.

Before passing sentence, he scathingly said: “The hideous act of strangulation is that the person whose throat was wrapped around your hand is looking you directly into your eyes. She does not know if that is the last thing she will ever see.

“It must have been appalling for her to hear from a friend that she could see a naked photo of her. You quite deliberately did that to humiliate her in front of her family and friends.

“Do not give me any reason to regret imposing this suspended sentence order. Do not let me down.”

As part of the order, Walls, of Potts Road, Leeholme, Bishop Auckland, Durham, was required to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation requirement days.

Judge Mathieson also imposed a three-year restraining order with provisions not to contact the complainant directly or indirectly, and not to enter the borough of Barrow.