A woman who threatened to share an intimate image of her ex-partner and bombarded her with messages has been fined more than £1,000.

Tracy Byers, of Mary Street, Blaydon, Gateshead, appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' court where she pleaded guilty to two charges. 

The 59-year-old admitted to threatening to share a photograph "showing, or appearing to show, another woman in an intimate state".

The offence took place on Monday, February 12, this year, in the County Durham.

The court heard that the offence was contrary to section 66B(4) and (10) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 - intending or being reckless as to whether that person, or another person who knows that person, will fear that the threat will be carried out.

Byers also pleaded guilty to harassment without violence between Sunday, February 11, and Sunday, March 17.

The court heard she pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of the woman and which she knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of her.

This was in the form of sending her multiple text messages and voicemails.

The court heard that this was contrary to section 2(1) and (2) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

For the two offences, Byers was fined a total of £1,100.

The magistrates said they took into account her guilty plea, saying the fine was a "direct alternative" to a community order.

She was not given a restraining order as the court did not feel it was "necessary".

As well as the fine, Byers must also pay costs to the Crown Prosecution Service of £85 and a surcharge of £440.

Byers must pay the total fine of £1,625 in instalments of £100 a month, starting on November 20.