IN WHAT is the first sentence for "revenge porn" in Merseyside a man has been jailed for 16 months for posting photographs on social media of a former girlfriend.

David Jones, 53, had posted 12 intimate pictures of the woman that had been taken 20 years before.

His victim, who does not want to be identified, said she felt "complete terror" when the pictures appeared and felt "totally violated".

Jones, from Mockbeggar Drive in Wallasey, pleaded guilty at Liverpool Magistrates' Court to five counts of disclosing private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress. He was also made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicki Collins said: "Jones posted pictures of the victim taken many years ago to deliberately distress and humiliate her.

“This is a crime and the Crown Prosecution Service and the police will do all within our powers to bring those who commit such despicable acts of revenge before the courts.

“The new specific offence of revenge pornography has only been in force since April, but awareness of these crimes is increasing.

“I hope today's outcome brings some form of closure to this victim but also encourages other victims of these malicious crimes to report them to the Police and help us bring such offenders to justice."

In April 2015, the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 created a new criminal offence of Revenge Pornography, making it a criminal offence to disclose private sexual photographs and films without the consent of an individual who appears in them and with the intent to cause that individual distress.