Dumped lover blackmailed ex over 'provocative images'
A spurned lover threatened to post revealing images of his former partner on the internet after she dumped him, a court heard.
Michael Greening initially demanded £200 from the woman, who lived in the Dudley area, warning her that he would put the pictures on social media sites if she did not comply.
Instead she went to the police and Greening, 34, ended up at Wolverhampton Crown Court on a charge of blackmail.
He started seeing the victim after her marriage broke down but she ended the relationship after only a short time because she wanted to be reconciled with her husband, said Mr Ekwall Tiwana, prosecuting.
However, Greening started sending her messages threatening to make public 'quite provocative' images of her and to tell her family unless she handed over money, the court heard.
The victim was so distressed she contacted the police and her blackmailer was arrested.
Passing a suspended jail sentence, the judge warned Greening he had come dangerously close to being locked up immediately but he said he held back because of the defendant's learning difficulties and previous good character.
Recorder Jason Macadam told him: "Blackmail is one of the most serious crimes you can commit.
"You are extremely fortunate not to be going to prison for a considerable amount of time."
Greening, of Grafton Lane, Bidford,Wiltshire, pleaded guilty to blackmailing the victim between June 5 – 7 last year.
He was handed a 15-month prison term suspended for two years and ordered to carry out 25 days rehabilitation activities.
He was also made the subject of a restraining order, banning him from going anywhere near the victim for five years.
