AN abuser who made repeated threats to kill a woman in a campaign of controlling behaviour also disclosed a private sexual video of her, a court heard.

Tony Bell, 32, would use insulting and derogatory language towards his victim, making threats of physical violence and coercing her into maintaining contact with him.

His verbal harassment progressed to the level of physical abuse.

Ipswich Crown Court heard on one occasion he spat in the woman’s face.

Fuelled by alcohol, Bell would make repeated calls to his victim, level unfounded accusations of promiscuity and turn up repeatedly at her place of work.

The court heard he pushed her, grabbed her neck and shouted in her face.

Things came to a head in December last year, when the victim decided to make contact with the police and provided a statement detailing Bell’s behaviour.

The court heard she was left “horrified” when she discovered Bell had disclosed a private sexual video of her to another without her consent.

The victim received seven phone calls from Bell while she was speaking to the police.

In police interview after his arrest, Bell accepted he had made repeated threats to kill his victim, adding that he “doesn’t mean it”.

Bell, of Albion Grove, Colchester, admitted using controlling and coercive behaviour and disclosing a private sexual video without consent.

Rishy Panesar, mitigating, asked the court to take into account the “genuine remorse”

shown by Bell, who has appeared in court 15 times for 20 offences.

He added the 54 days already spent in custody by his client had presented an opportunity for him to deal with his alcohol problem.

“Alcohol is the crux of his offending,” he said.

Jailing Bell for two years, Recorder Sally O’Neill QC said: “This is a serious, nasty and unpleasant offence which has had considerable consequences for the victim.

“It was continuous and it was nasty, the fact it was while in drink and that made it worse is of limited consequence as far as the offence itself is concerned.”