A JILTED ex uploaded a private image of his former girlfriend on to her own social media account before later telling her she should kill herself, a court heard.

Alex Atkins, 21, uploaded the image to Instagram before sending a screenshot to his ex after a breakdown in their relationship.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard the pair had been in a relationship for about eight months before Atkins discovered she had been messaging someone else.

Laura McLeod, prosecuting, said Atkins sent a message threatening to post a private image of her online if she did not apologise.

It was a threat he later carried out, with the picture appearing on her Instagram account with the caption ‘I’m a cheating s***’.

Atkins also sent the victim abusive messages using several different numbers to continue the harassment when she blocked the contact.

The court heard among the abuse were messages which stated: “If you get cancer, I will feel sorry for the cancer,” and “Your mother should have had you aborted.”

Atkins, of Fairhaven Avenue, West Mersea, admitted charges of disclosing a private sexual photograph and harassment without violence.

Paul Baker, mitigating, said a pre-sentence report had highlighted Atkins had received a late diagnosis of autism when he was 16 or 17 and as a result he “fixated on certain issues”.

He said Atkins had uploaded the picture but it remained on the account for only two minutes before it was deleted.

Mr Baker said Atkins had regretted uploading the image.

Magistrates imposed a community order, requiring Atkins to complete 240 hours of unpaid work.

He must pay £240 in fines and costs and was made the subject of a restraining order keeping him away from the victim’s address.