The family of a young woman were left devastated after her ex-partner sent a sexual video of her to her 10-year-old brother, a court heard.
Gary Whicker, 22, could face up to two years behind bars under new “revenge porn” laws.
Whicker, of Whitland Road, Anfield, sobbed in the dock as the court heard the pair, who had been in an “on-off” relationship, fell out after attending Liverpool International Music Festival on August 29.
Edmund Hagarth, prosecuting, said they had returned to Whicker’s house after the festival, but the woman returned to her address shortly after 3am.
He said: “From about 8am the victim began to receive messages from the defendant calling her a slag. He then threatened to send an intimate video to her younger brother.”
The court heard the video had been made around four months earlier under pressure from the defendant.
Mr Hagarth said: “Around 9am that same morning she received a screen shot to her phone showing that the defendant had in fact sent the video to her brother.
“Her 10-year-old brother had been staying at a friend’s house and phoned his mother to say he had been sent a naughty video by the defendant.”
The court heard the boy did not recognise his sister, but later his mum viewed the video and realised it showed her daughter.
A statement from the victim’s mum said: “I hope Gary Whicker understands the damage and stress he has caused my family. I knew what kind of person he was but I never thought he would stoop as low as he did.”
Alaric Walmsley, representing Whicker, said: “He is deeply remorseful for what happened. He understands the harm and pain he has caused. But it was a momentary lapse in this case.”
Whicker, who pleaded guilty to disclosing private sexual images with intent to cause distress, was due to be sentenced today but Deputy Circuit Judge Jonathan Foster, QC, adjourned the case as key evidence was unavailable.
Whicker was granted bail but Judge Foster said: “You need to know at the moment I am considering immediate custody.”
He will now be sentenced on Tuesday October 20.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, a typical case of revenge pornography under the new law would involve an ex-partner uploading an intimate image of the victim to the internet or sending it to their friends and family.
The offence is carried out with the intention of causing “distress, humiliation and embarrassment” to the victim and carries a penalty of up to two years in prison.
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/