“Toxic” man threatened to sell sexual images of two women

A “toxic” man threatened to sell sexual images and videos of two women. Brett Barnes pressured them to send him intimate material and became violent when they refused.

The 41-year-old, from Harborne, also took screenshots during a sexual video call with one of the victims and added an explicit photo of her to his WhatsApp profile picture for all to see. However, he was spared a prison sentence at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, July 16, because his health had deteriorated in a “life-changing” manner.

He has recently been confined to a wheelchair after having a leg partially amputated due to complications from type 1 diabetes, his lawyer confirmed. Barnes, of Grasdene Grove, was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment, suspended for two years, after admitting publishing a private sexual image and threatening to publish a private sexual image.

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Recorder John Benson said: “You fully deserve to go to prison now and you would be going to prison now if a large part of your life had not been overwhelmed by a life-changing illness.”

Prosecutor Sara Wyeth said the latest victim initially believed the defendant was using her for money. She said: “She felt pressured by the defendant to send him sexual images and videos of herself, and she sent him approximately 23 videos. If she did not send the videos, the defendant was being abusive.”

Barnes asked her to send him more videos before demanding £100. The complainant refused the first request and managed to record the defendant “threatening to sell” the content, which she used to report him to the police.

It emerged that Barnes had shown the woman intimate images of another woman, who had also gone to the police but initially decided not to report the incident. Ms Wyeth said: “She described him as incredibly controlling. He used images she had previously sent to her to pressure her into sending him more. He was emotionally and psychologically abusive.”

Defence lawyer Andrew Baker said Barnes’ “biggest mitigating factor” was his current physical health. He told the court he faced the prospect of losing part of his right leg after his left leg had already been partially amputated. The barrister said: “The defendant is deeply ashamed.”

“He is trying to find a good reason why he committed these despicable crimes that eat away at the souls of those affected. His miserable state of life may have enabled these horrific crimes.”

Judge Benson described the offences as “vile and deplorable”, adding that Barnes “perversely enjoyed this threatening behaviour”. But he added: “This is a very complicated medical situation. Your life is clearly in danger if you do not strictly adhere to the treatment regimen you are currently undergoing.”

“If you are taken into custody immediately, which you certainly deserve, it is unlikely that treatment measures can be carried out to the same standard and with the same outcome as if you were to remain at liberty. You have a good character to date, but your character is troubling.”

Barnes must attend 25 days of rehabilitation classes where he will be “taught how harmful his behavior was so that it never happens again,” the registrar added. Restraining orders were issued against both victims.