A man threatened to release private sexual photographs of his ex wife on social media following the breakdown of their marriage, a court heard.

Sunil Lekh was reprimanded by judge Nigel Peters KC who told him: “The law is toughening up on these crimes”.

The 32-year-old bombarded her with text messages asking for them to get back together shortly before the conclusion of their divorce proceedings in 2023.

Prosecuting, Martyn Booth said Lekh then threatened to send sexually explicit photographs of the victim to her family.  

Southampton man Sunil Lekh threatened to share explicit photos of ex after break up Southampton man Sunil Lekh threatened to share explicit photos of ex after break up (Image: Newsquest) He said: “The defendant sent a message that read ‘Good luck, I am putting your filth on Instagram’.

“This message is quite clear in its intent. What makes things even worse for the victim is the cultural impact this would have on her.

“This sort of material would have a huge impact on her if it was to be disclosed to her family and community.

“He denied all these things in interview.”

In her victim impact statement read out by Mr Booth she said the offence – which happened two years ago – was at a time when her father was unwell.

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Mr Booth said: “Her father died shortly after, and the victim makes it clear she will never get that time back and this stopped her from spending the last days with him.

“Serious distress has been caused to the victim.”

Mitigating, Simon Walters said there have “been no issues” for two years now, and at the time of the offence Lekh was drinking heavily.

Judge Peters KC interjected: “The fact of the matter is, he did not get over the end of the marriage.”

Mr Walters added that Lekh is now in recovery and is awaiting surgery for “damage he has caused himself through alcohol.”

“He has the capacity to turn his life around”, he said.

Lekh, of Swaythling Road, West End, admitted threatening to disclose private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress.

Passing sentence, judge Peters KC said: “It must have been very distressing for the victim to receive a message saying you were about to publish sexually explicit material of her.”

He was handed a 12-month community order and is subject to an alcohol abstinence and monitoring programme for 120 days and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.