A man who stalked his ex-partner and posted a naked photo of her on Facebook has been given “a last and final chance” by a judge.

Benjamin Clay was spared jail after Judge Simon James told him: “Your conduct was deliberate, prolonged and designed to cause distress.

“You showed a pattern of threatening, controlling and coercive behaviour and such conduct cannot be tolerated.”

On one occasion his ex-partner was so concerned she got in her car in her pyjamas and drove to another address.

He sentenced Clay, 26, of Toronto Close, Dover, to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years.

Clay admitted stalking his ex-partner between January 27 and February 11 this year and disclosing a private sexual photo to cause distress on February 11.

Canterbury Crown Court was told that Clay had been in a relationship with his ex-partner for five years and they had a daughter.

When the relationship broke up he sent his ex-partner abusive text messages and accusations of unfaithfulness.

One of the messages said he hoped she got raped or better still killed. The text messages carried on.

Clay called his ex-partner derogatory names on Facebook and posted a photo of her naked.

He was arrested and admitted contacting her but denied harassing her.

He said the photo had been sent to him by a third party.

Clay had previous convictions for theft, assault and affray.

Judge James said it was a mean and horrible offence.

“Your conduct was deliberate, prolonged and designed to cause distress..." - Judge Simon James

Simon Taylor, defending, said it was a disgraceful course of conduct.

“At the time Clay was working far too hard and was not able to cope with that pressure,” he said.

“He has shown remorse and is keen to rehabilitate himself.”

Mr Taylor said Clay had attended voluntarily a domestic violence course. He had set up his own business which supplied labour to the railway industry.

In addition to the suspended sentence Clay must attending a building better relationships course and must pay £360 towards prosecution costs.