Jealous ex sent intimate video of his former partner to her sister and friend during campaign of harassment

David Kane had told the woman the clip would be sent to friends on Facebook if she didn't confess she was seeing someone new, which she denied.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 46-year-old warned the victim the footage would go "viral".

The court heard he later sent the private video to her sister and a male friend, who he believed was her new man, which caused her distress.

Kane, of Ulswater Avenue, Jarrow, has now been given a suspended prison sentence for disclosing a private sexual photograph or film with the intention of causing distress and harassment.

Prosecutor Michael Bunch said the pair's relationship had ended long ago and they hardly spoke.

Mr Bunch said: "In June last year, while on holiday, with her judgement affected by drink, she contacted him asking how he was.

"That, it seems, provoked the defendant into jealous feelings towards her. He started contacting her more often and would accuse her of seeing somebody new.

"He was clearly upset by that suggestion and the fact she would tell him he was mistaken.

"She sets out in her statement how in mid September 2019 the defendant began threatening to send intimate video he recorded during their relationship to all of her friends on Facebook, if she didn't admit the relationship he believed her to be in, and he would make the video go viral."

Kane sent the video to the woman while she was at work, to prove he had it. He also sent it to her male friend.

Mr Bunch said: "He continued to be abusive towards her, notwithstanding her denials and attempts to block his mobile phone and social media."

The court heard matters came to a head following a long conversation she had with him at the end of September.

He went on to send further messages accusing her of "being sneaky and lying".

The court heard Kane also went to her place of work and suggested she "still had something to hide".

He also bombarded her with "call after call".

Mr Bunch said: "He continued to make accusations towards her she was lying and made threats towards her and her sister, of violence.

"She got a text from her sister saying she had also received the video that had been sent the week before to the male friend of the victim."

The woman contacted the police but the messages continued, including him saying he was watching her address. She said it was "creepy" and he replied "so".

Mr Bunch said on one occasion alone there were 88 calls from Kane to the woman.

The victim said he left her feeling like he would never leave her alone, adding: "I can't take any more abuse from him, I've got more important things to think about.

"I feel unsafe in my own home."

Kane was sentenced to 12 weeks suspended for 18 months, must attend a building better relationships programme and was made subject to a restraining order for 18 months.

Alec Burns, defending, said Kane, who is not heavily convicted, suffers from anxiety and depression and cares for his mother, who is seriously ill.

He said there had been problems between the couple and he "lost his temper".

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