A student who fell out with his business partner and landlord posted false claims on social media saying both of them were paedophiles.
Christopher Rees, 24, wrote the defamatory messages on Facebook and even messaged his former business partner’s work email address with abusive claims.
A sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court was told Rees began posting about his first victim in November last year after they had set up a business together as Rees and Rirau Co Ltd.
Prosecutor Joseff Morgan said the complainant received messages on Facebook from the defendant via their joint business account. They were also sent to the victim's workplace via email.
Rees wrote the victim had been “subjected to an ongoing investigation for talking to underage girls” and said he was “paedophile” – a claim that was entirely false.
Rees also called him “a fraud, a liar, and a scumbag” and posted a video on YouTube with the name in the title 'My love for Tina the Dutch minor'.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, the victim said Rees’ actions had affected him in a number of ways.
He said: “I am suffering through lack of sleep and worry which is causing me to feel depressed and anxious.
“It’s caused me huge embarrassment and stress and I don’t want to speak to [Rees] any more. He took it too far causing me to feel harassed, alarmed and stressed.”
Rees’ second victim was his landlord Iwan Horan.
After the defendant moved into his property Mr Morgan said a “difficult relationship” ensued resulting in Rees having to leave the property.
In September last year Rees left a series of Instagram messages on Mr Horan’s profile falsely saying he was a “paedophile” and posted his home address.
Mr Morgan said: “As a result of this both complainants suffered humiliation and embarrassment.”
Rees was arrested and made full admissions in his police interview. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of sending grossly offensive, indecent and menacing messages by means of public communication networks.
At the time of this offence Rees was subject to a suspended prison sentence of 18 months for blackmail.
Defence barrister Peter Donnison said his client, who is studying software engineering at Swansea University, deserved “one more chance” to get his life back on track and asked for any custodial sentence to be suspended.
He said: “[Rees] is a man suffering with various mental health problems and has done from an early age. He has been homeless on occasions and living on the streets after losing employment and accommodation.”
Sentencing Rees, Judge Timothy Petts said: “You used the internet and social media accounts to promote grossly offensive attacks and lies to a worldwide audience in seconds.
“There has been a substantial impact and distress on both of you victims and you have to learn that thrashing out on social media with threats of this nature is wholly unacceptable.
“You’ve had your chance and deliberately chose actions of a damaging nature.”
Rees, of Swansea Campus, Swansea University, was sentenced to a total of 32 weeks in prison.
