Woman who posted intimate photos of father’s mistress jailed

Judge describes Eleanor Brown, 24, as ‘totally devoid of any moral compass’

A woman who posted sexual images of her father’s former lover on an escort site has been jailed for three years after a judge described her as “totally devoid of any moral compass whatsoever”.
Eleanor Brown, 24, had held a deep-seated grudge against her victim since she was child, after her police officer father had a short-lived affair with the woman in 2012, Leeds Crown Court heard on Monday.
A judge said that Brown’s attitude after she was arrested showed she was “utterly, utterly unapologetic” and that her “lack of remorse was staggering”.
Judge Alex Menary heard how Brown’s father, Geoff, had an affair with her victim when they were both police officers, but it ended and both of them stayed with their spouses.
Ten years later, the defendant noticed the woman’s husband had started a business and this was a trigger for first posting offensive messages on his Facebook page, calling his wife a “home wrecking slag” and a “tramp”.
Brown then sent the husband sexual images of his wife before creating a fake profile on an escorting and sex services website, also featuring intimate photographs.
The court heard the profile title was “Ex-police with all my uniform which I like to wear for my clients” and used the phrase “kinky copper”.
The judge said Brown “conspired” with her sister, Sophie, and her mother, Sarah, to create the fake profile. The court heard Sophie and Sarah are both ex-police officers.
Sophie, 26, has not been charged with any offences, but was sacked by West Yorkshire Police following a misconduct hearing. Her mother was also not charged with any offences.
Judge Menary said the escort site post included the husband’s mobile number and he was then bombarded with texts and calls after it went live.
In a victim personal statement read in court, the woman said that to describe her feeling “violated” was an “understatement”.
She explained that she was “sickened” that the images were posted on a public website and shared for the sexual gratification of strangers.
The woman said: “I’m finding it difficult to believe a woman would do that to another woman.”
She also said she was “fearful of what [Brown] is capable of”.
Harry Crowson, defending, said it was “unfathomable” how Brown got involved, saying: “She became a warrior in a war she ought never to be fighting”.
Mr Crowson added: “She needs to stop fighting a battle that’s not hers.”
The court heard how Brown was provided with the photographs by her mother and Mr Crowson said she was “egged on by her family”.
The barrister said his client had been severely traumatised by the events of 2012, when she was shown the images as a teenager for reasons the judge said had never been properly explained.
He said that, over the years, a woman she had never met had “become almost a caricature” to her.
Brown, of Peel Street, Morley, Leeds, admitted two counts of disclosing private images halfway through her trial earlier this year.
Her victim and her husband had already given evidence by the time the defendant changed her pleas and, on Friday, Judge Menary described this as the “ultimate act of brinkmanship”, which was a “very serious aggravating feature” in the case.
Because of this, he gave Brown no credit for her guilty pleas.
Judge Menary said one of the most “egregious and vindictive” aspects of the case was Brown’s contact with the victim’s daughter, who had not been told of the affair.
The judge heard how Brown told her: “I will make sure your mum is never allowed to forget what she did to my family”, adding “wherever she goes her photos will remain and follow her”.
Judge Menary described this as “shameful”.