A WOMAN e-mailed a topless photograph of her former lover to staff at Lancashire County Council where both women had previously worked.

Blackburn magistrates heard Susan Jane Fearnley had been "deeply scarred" when her partner ended their "intense" six month relationship.

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And the court heard the photograph Fearnley eventually e-mailed to other members of staff was a selfie taken by the victim and then sent to the defendant.

Fearnley, 31, pleaded guilty to disclosing a private sexual photograph with the intention of causing distress.

She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 20 days rehabilitation activity requirement and a restraining order for 12 months which prohibits her from having any contact with the aggrieved or attending at her home address.

She was also ordered to pay £100 compensation and £85 costs and fined £50.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, said the relationship between the two women ended 12 months before the e-mails were sent in October.

When the relationship ended Fearnley made threats about disclosing the topless photograph and these were dealt with at work.

"The aggrieved heard nothing until eight months later when the photograph, taken by the aggrieved in April 2015 and sent to Fearnley, was sent to colleagues at Lancashire County Council," said Mrs Geldard. "The victim was copied into the e-mail."

Richard Prew, defending, said his client had shown a great deal of remorse for her actions.

He said the relationship between the two women had been intense.

"It was the manner in which it was ended by the victim which left quite deep scars on the defendant," said Mr Prew. "She is racked with guilt and realises that wasn't the way to deal with the situation."

Mr Prew described his client, of Moor Gate, Lancaster, as "deeply troubled" and said her health had suffered as a result of drug and alcohol misuse.

"The defendant is now in a new relationship and has no reason to contact her ex-partner," said Mr Prew.