A man posted an intimate picture of a woman on a website before threatening her, a court heard.

Charles Elliott, 20, posted the image online before sending her a threatening message saying that ‘everyone’ would see it.

Preston Crown Court heard how Elliott became angry when the victim blocked him on social media.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said after she blocked him, he started setting up fake accounts in an attempt to contact her and he uploaded a photo to a website.

He later sent her a message saying ‘your pictures and videos are going around Uni. I’ll make sure you don’t finish your course and make sure everyone sees them’.

Since the incident, the court heard the victim had suffered severe anxiety that Elliott would turn up at where she lived or try to contact her again.

Defending Elliott, Mark Stuart said that the 20-year-old was ‘young’ and will learn from his mistake and that the picture posted, although distressing for the victim, was not particularly ‘sexual’.

He said: “Whilst it is unpleasant he posted that, it is one picture.”

Mr Stuart continued to say that Elliott had moved back home and was had two jobs and that there had been no incidents since.

Elliott pleaded guilty in a previous hearing at magistrates court to disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress.

Judge Richard Gioserano said that he could have handed Elliott a prison sentence but said that due to his change of character, including him holding down two jobs, ceasing all contact with the victim and that the incident took place nearly a year ago, he would instead impose a community order.

He added that Elliott had intended to cause distress to the victim.

Judge Gioserano said: “That was your intent and that was your effect.

“You can’t behave like this unless you want to end up in prison.”

He handed Elliott, of Clayton Street, Great Harwood, a two-year community order, 150 hours of unpaid work and said he must complete a course.