A mother who sent intimate photos to men before blackmailing them by claiming she was underage has been spared jail.

Demi Sweatman, 24, from Grimsby, Lincolnshire, uploaded an image of herself wearing pink lingerie to Instagram in May 2023 – with an invitation for men to ‘Snap me’.

One man responded with a request and Sweatman offered to send over nude photos for £20.

She asked for his WhatsApp number and gave him the pictures, before he asked if she wanted to meet up.

Sweatman replied, ‘only if I get £50’ – after which more money was paid, a court heard.

The mother-of-three then claimed to be a 15-year-old and threatened to tell the man’s family and friends, unless he paid a further £50. Afterwards, she demanded £300.

The victim protested in messages but transferred cash. Sweatman then threatened to send associates round to the victim’s house unless he gave her even more money.

In total, he sent over £1,150.

Demi Sweatman (pictured), 24, from Grimsby, uploaded an image of herself wearing pink lingerie to Instagram in May 2023 with an invitation headlined ‘Snap me’

A sum of £500 was paid into Sweatman’s then-boyfriend’s, Charlie Anderson, 22, account.

Humberside Police were contacted and the pair were arrested but denied any offences. They were both bailed while officers conducted investigations.

Mr Lowe said in October 2024 Sweatman also posted a photograph on Facebook Dating offering more nude photographs. A student responded and sent money for pornographic content.

Again, Sweatman took the young man’s details and threatened to expose him for asking for photographs, claiming to be a 15-year-old girl. 

The victim initially sent £40 for the photographs and then £250 when he was threatened with exposure.

The prosecutor said the student contacted police and Sweatman was arrested, but denied being responsible. Anderson also denied a charge of money laundering.

When his trial was due to be heard, Sweatman provided evidence to the prosecution and Anderson changed his plea to guilty.

Both victims had suffered anxiety and fear because of the blackmail, Mr Lowe said.

Mitigating on behalf of Sweatman, Tim Savage said his client had no previous offences recorded against her and she was a young mother of three children. 

He said Sweatman claimed she had been coerced by her partner.

Mr Savage added she had been out of trouble since October 2024. 

Mitigating on behalf of Anderson, Maya Hanson said the couple had been in a ‘volatile relationship.’ 

Her client had a traumatic upbringing but was keen to get a job soon and he was remorseful, she said.

Judge Gurdial Singh said it was clear the money had gone into Anderson’s account because of the pressure the victims felt. 

‘It was disgraceful and nasty offending,’ he added.

Judge Singh pointed out Sweatman had done the same again in October 2024 after the first blackmail in May 2023. 

But due to the evidence she had provided against Anderson she was entitled to time off her sentence.

The judge said: ‘You are both as bad as each other.’ 

He added the pair had been ‘manipulative and deliberate in taking advantage’ of men.

Sweatman, of Werneth Road, was sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 18 months. 

She was also ordered to attend 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work. 

Anderson, formerly of Werneth Road, was given a 16-month sentence suspended for two years with 100 hours of unpaid work and 10 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.