A man posted intimate photographs of a woman on a social media website and then alerted her friends and family in a bid to get them to view the images.

Christopher Craig, 24, also sent threatening, offensive and derogatory e-mails to the woman with whom he had previously had a relationship.

Their relationship was said to have been based in Annan.

Craig’s solicitor Ranald Lindsay told the court in Dumfries that the actions which led to his court appearance had resulted from a breakdown in the relationship.

Craig, from Gosforth, had now realised “he had gone over the top”, according to his legal representative.

Craig admitted engaging in the course of conduct on various occasions between October 2015 and January last year in Annan.

The offences had taken place the Queensberry Arms Hotel and Meganos Restaurant, both in High Street.

He also admitted repeatedly going to the victim’s home in an attempt to see her even though they had split up.

The court heard he’d also pushed her against a wall and had spat on her face.

Craig also pleaded guilty to repeatedly contacting his victim’s mother, refusing to remove the photographs, making sexual and other remarks to her and sending pornographic images via social media. This was as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards another man, the court was told.

Mr Lindsay said: “Reports show that the offence is out of character for Craig and he has genuine remorse at the distress has caused.”

The case was described by Sheriff Scott Pattison as “as bad a case of stalking” that he had ever seen.

He adjourned the case for sentencing and called for an assessment of custody as an option.

The sheriff also continued a motion for a non-harassment order for a period of three weeks.