A MAN who sent an intimate picture of his partner to her mum has narrowly avoided being sent to jail.

Andrew Morris, 20, also sent an image of himself and his girlfriend, who was 17 at the time, engaging in a sex act to a friend of the girl, Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court heard yesterday.

Morris, who pleaded guilty to two charges of disclosing private sexual photographs with intent to cause distress, was told by the chairman of the magistrates' bench John Bruce: "Do you realise how close you have come to being sent to prison? We could have quite easily sent you to prison today for these offences and nobody would have criticised us.

"Doing what you did is not only degrading to the person, but it is most upsetting to people who receive it."

The court was told that Morris and the teenager were a couple at the time the pictures were taken, but that they were no longer together.

Morris, of Dunnignton Walk, Woodside, Bradford, also admitted three assaults on the teenager on January 3 and January 8 this year, one charge of criminal damage to her car on January 8, and possession of cannabis on January 8.

One of the intimate pictures was sent between August 31 and October 1 last year, and the other on November 19 last year, the court heard.

Linda Fowler, prosecuting, told the court that Morris was controlling throughout the six-month relationship that the pair had, and that he regularly used cannabis. She said Morris would take the girl's phone and car keys from her and also comment on what she could wear and who she could see.

Mrs Fowler said the girl's mum was sent a topless picture of her daughter via the social messaging tool WhatsApp, with a message attached saying to tell the girl to stop "harassing" him. The picture was sent after the girl refused to go and see Morris, said Mrs Fowler.

Mrs Fowler told the court that one of the assaults happened after the girl had slapped Morris during an argument and he reacted by pushing her onto a bed and "slapping her around the head" and punching her in the arm..

On January 8, said Mrs Fowler, Morris carried the girl in from outside as she kicked and screamed and "threw her down onto the floor" inside the house. He then grabbed her in a headlock, the court was told, and she struggled to breath, before police arrived after being called by a witness.

Stuart Carter, on behalf of Morris, said 'sexting' was rife in schools nowadays, and added that the girl "always managed to stick up for herself" against his client.

On Morris, Mr Carter added: "I think he has very much learnt his lesson.

"The girl is 18 now. It happened a matter of weeks before she turned 18."

On the subject of people - particularly younger people - 'sexting', Mr Bruce said: "Unfortunately, this thing is getting out of hand and is getting too prevalent now. The sooner it is stopped the better."

He then told Morris: "We are encouraged, as magistrates, to be tough on this, but we have listened very carefully to what has been said on your behalf and on this occasion will go along with what was said by the probation officer."

A probation officer told the court that Morris engaged well in a meeting with her and was "absolutely terrified of going to prison". She recommended that Morris should not be sent to prison.

Morris was given a 12-month community order and must complete 160 hours' unpaid work. He was given a three-year restraining order to stay away from his victim and also made subject of a 40-day rehabilitation activity order.

Morris must also pay £350 costs and a £60 surcharge.