Sending a private sexual photo of an Isle of Wight woman to her adult son on Christmas Day, while she lay in hospital, was "snide, unpleasant" and just "plain nasty", a judge has said.

Andrew Dale, of Church Road, Wootton, was spared jail when he appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday, May 19.

The 64-year-old had previously admitted disclosing a private sexual photograph or film, in Wootton, on December 25, 2021.

The court heard how Dale had sent an intimate picture of a woman to her son, sourced from a laptop he had no permission to use.

He sent the image while the woman was in hospital with pneumonia.

Prosecuting, Tim Devlin, said Dale had also sent messages indicating he had "many, many more" pictures and had a folder labelled as such.

A victim impact statement read to the court detailed how the incident has had a "massive detrimental effect" on the woman's life.

It said she has been left traumatised and it has also had an "unimaginable" impact on her son and their relationship.

Jodie Mittell, defending, said Dale was a man of previous good character who had effectively lived an "unblemished life" up until now.

She argued he had personality disorder, which "likely stemmed" from his "traumatic upbringing".

Judge Peter Lodder said he was sceptical over whether the disorder would have affected Dale with regards to the offence.

He said: "You have lived your life perfectly well before coming before the court. The impact of your disorder can be little more than minimal.

"It just appears to be plain nasty.

"It is clear to me that you knew it would cause distress and although you did not send it to a wide number of people it was unpleasant that you sent it to her son on Christmas Day.

"This has caused her deep trauma and distress."

Dale was sentenced to 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months.

He will also be required to carry out 25 rehabilitation activity days and ordered to pay a fine of £750, and a victim surcharge.