Andrew Abbott jailed for revenge porn internet posts

Andrew Abbott took intimate photos and videos of victims in Sussex and posted them online.

The 35-year-old, who lives in Walthamstow, caused huge distress, but was rumbled by both women who confronted him.

At Brighton Crown Court it was also revealed how he admitted a further offence of voyeurism, recording a private act without permission.

Abbott was jailed for 16 months for his crimes.

Brighton law courts

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

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

The court heard that Abbott, then of Raleigh Crescent, Goring, west Sussex, 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.

Police said Abbott made great efforts to get hold of and collate a library of images and video clips taken while in intimate relationships.

The victims thought they were in trusting intimate relationships, one lasting for one year and the other lasting for ten years.

With one victim, video footage was also taken of her without her knowledge or consent.

The images of both were shared without their consent with members of forums and groups on the internet.

These sites were set up specifically to share images and offers to meet the subjects of the images, police said.

Abbott, now of Wolsley Avenue, Walthamstow, admitted three offences of disclosing private images with intent to cause distress, and one count of voyeurism.

Detective Constable Jon Berisford 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.

“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 further images of the first woman.

Andrew Abbott has been jailed over Sussex sex crimes

"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."

Abbott was put under a restraining order not to contact the women or to publicise any further information about them.

A Sexual Harm Prevention Order will restrict his access to computer and phone devices, and he will be a registered sex offender for ten years.