A man threatened to post a video of a woman performing a sex act on him online as part of a “pathetic” blackmail plot.
Gary Devonish, aged 47, of no fixed abode, told the woman he would post the video online in a row over money.
Devonish sent threatening text messages to the woman and sent part of the recording to one of the victim’s friends.
He was sentenced to 18 months in prison at Northampton Crown Court but the sentence was suspended for two years.
Devonish will be subjected to a two-year supervision requirement and must attend a “building better relationships programme”.
Recorder Timothy Mousley QC said he had not sentenced Devonish to an immediate custodial sentence because he wanted to stop his “pathetic, exploitative and bullying behaviour”.
He said: “I have to see if there is a way of preventing you from behaving like this.”