Victim 'living in fear' after photos shared online

A woman said she "lives in fear every single day" after a man shared intimate images and videos of her online.

Neil Burdus, of Hucclecote Road, Gloucester, shared hundreds of images and videos of his victim to pornographic websites and the dark web, Cheltenham Magistrates' Court was told.

Burdus, 37, who had admitted multiple counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress on 27 July, was given a suspended sentence by magistrates on Thursday.

His victim said she found out the images and videos - along with her home address, telephone number, and a photograph of her passport - had been shared online after receiving messages from strangers.

Prosecuting, Graham Dono said the victim had sent the images to Burdus for his viewing only, and had not given consent for him to share them with anybody else.

Then "out of the blue", Mr Dono said the victim received a message on Instagram from an unknown person, who stated: "Hey, I don't know if you want to know or not but NSFW (Not Safe For Work) images are being shared of you."

The victim and her friends then discovered explicit images and videos of her had been shared online, Mr Dono added.

In a victim impact statement, she said her body has been in "a constant state of stress" following the crime.

"I wake up most mornings with a crushing weight on my chest, my heart racing, and a sick feeling in my stomach that doesn't fade," the victim said.

"I suffer chest pains and palpitations when a stranger looks at me for too long, because my mind immediately fears the worst - that they have seen the images/ videos & know my address, and therefore know this version of me online placed without my consent.

"I cannot live alone; the fear of someone coming to my home is too great."

The victim added she had lost a job due to the "stress and stigma" associated with the crime, and her parents fear for her safety and their own.

Defending himself, Burdus said: "I fully understand what I did was wrong, I expect consequences".

Burdus added it had been "very distressing" for him to read the victim impact statement as his "intention was never to cause distress or harm", adding he had faced financial pressures and mental health issues.

Ms Webb said: "This is a really nasty offence, I am sure we can all agree."

She sentenced Burdus to 26 weeks in custody, suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete an 18-month community order, an 18-month mental health treatment requirement, and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

Burdus was also asked to pay more than £500 in a combination of prosecution costs and a court surcharge.

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