A FATHER who sent topless pictures of the mother of his children to male escorts and invited them to have sex with her walked free from court today.

Robert Wharton had a habit of sending raunchy images of his then partner Celeste Griffiths to male sex workers in a bid to "fulfil his own personal fantasy", magistrates were told.

Ms Griffiths described the pictures as "disgusting and vile" and revealed she had men offer to have sex with her as a result of Wharton's behaviour.

Wharton, 26, was convicted of a single count of disclosing private and sexual images and slapped with a suspended sentence.

Magistrates heard how Wharton sent the pictures from the home he shared with Ms Wharton and their two children in Woosehill.

Prosecuting, Maddy Charlesworth said: "They had been in a relationship for four years and they have two children together.

"The relationship had deteriorated. The matter we are dealing with seems to be a combination of a number of issues.

"He has sent a male escort a topless photograph of Ms Griffiths and she has found out, causing her serious distress."

Magistrates heard the harrowing affects of Wharton's actions on his ex partner.

In a statement read out in court, she said: "Since I found out he sent these disgusting, vile and explicit images my life has become stressful.

"I feel degraded.

"I'm concerned that people may have seen these explicit images.

"I find it hard to deal with the fact he used my personal pictures to fulfil his own personal fantasy.

"When I confronted him he promised he was sorry and said he did it when he was high on cocaine and said it was a fantasy he needed to fulfill and he would not do it again.

"I received messages because Robert gave these males my number.

"I sometimes feel as I want to move away from the area however I don't know how far these pictures have travelled."

Wharton, of Yorham Close, Lower Earley, denied disclosing private and sexual images with intent to cause distress but was convicted following a trial.

Magistrates dealt him a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also given a restraining order for two years, banning him from contacting his ex-lover.

Sanjeev Sharma, chairman of the bench, added: "We find that the offence was serious, so serious that it crosses the custody threshold.

"We have heard the complainant's impact statement.

"That says in no uncertain terms the devastating impact that this has had on her and her family."

Wharton was ordered to pay £650 in costs, a victim surcharge fee of £115 and compensation of £200 to his ex.

He must also take part in a rehabilitation programme.

Ryan O'Donnell, who defended Wharton at Reading Magistrates' Court, added: "He is ashamed of his behaviour.

"The defendant did deny this matter, the issue from the trial was that he did not intend to cause her distress.

"In revenge porn cases it is normal that parties have separated but that is not the case here. The defendant was in a relationship with her and they had two children.

"They were living together.

"A week later the complainant ended the relationship and he has not had any contact with his children since."