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Carpenter jailed over posting illicit pictures of ex-girlfriends on ‘revenge porn’ sites

Andrew Abbott has been jailed over posting illicit pictures of ex-girlfriends on ‘revenge porn’ sites.
Andrew Abbott has been jailed over posting illicit pictures of ex-girlfriends on ‘revenge porn’ sites.

A carpenter, who secretly filmed illicit tapes of his girlfriends and later posted private photos of them on “revenge” porn sites, has been jailed.

Andrew Abbott, 35, posted images of two ex-partners to internet groups, set up as platforms for sharing private intimate photos and where users can exchange offers to meet and harass the subjects.

Brighton Crown Court heard that Abbott recorded private sex acts with one then ex-partner which he then shared in April 2019.

At the same time, he also disclosed private sexual images of a previous partner from almost a decade before.

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Abbott collated a large library of images and video clips taken when he and his girlfriends were intimate.

One relationship had lasted a year while the other had lasted 10 years.

Some of the images and videos were taken with consent but Abbott also admitted to recording private acts without permission.

The women, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, soon realised videos had been posted on an online forum without their consent.

They were then shared later on social media by other people.

Detectives said Abbott showed a "clear intent" to cause distress to the women.

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Abbott pleaded guilty to three offences of disclosing private images with intent to cause distress and one offence of voyeurism at Brighton Crown Court.

He was jailed for 16 months on Tuesday and was handed a restraining order as well as a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years, severely restricting his access to digital communication devices.

Abbott will also be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Jon Berisford, of the West Sussex Community Investigation Team, said: "This case began to come to light when one of the victims saw on social media that the more recent partner had been in contact with Abbott.

"She then contacted that woman and revealed his behaviour towards herself, which caused the second woman to confront him and to end their own relationship.

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"She then also looked further into social media sites and realised that images of her were being shared online without her knowledge or consent.

"Our enquiries then uncovered the further images of the first woman.

"The material was disclosed to an online message forum, rather than shared directly to people who knew the two female victims, but the intention to cause distress was so clear that Abbott had little option but to plead guilty to all four charges at Worthing Magistrates Court in April.

"The emotional impact on both of them was significant, but they were both in court to see justice done."

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