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Man collapses in court after porn sentencing

A man has collapsed in court after narrowly avoiding jail for posting pornographic images of an amateur actress on his website.

Brad McBride had just pleaded guilty to the rare criminal charge of distributing pictures obtained by indecent filming when he collapsed in the dock at the Adelaide Magistrate’s Court.

The Geelong-based film maker has made a string of legitimate movies, but according to police prosecutors, he also made 10 pornographic home movies with an amateur actress – which he promised would stay private.

But when a property dispute with the actress turned ugly, he created a website, uploaded 12 still images from the movies showing her engaged in sexual acts, and posted a link to them on his Twitter account without her knowledge.

McBride’s lawyer admitted it was malicious, but said McBride had mental health issues at the time and was now very embarrassed.

He asked that no conviction be recorded, but the Magistrate said he would weigh up McBride’s embarrassment against that suffered by his victim.

McBride became unsteady on his feet in the dock when he heard he was facing up to two years jail, and when he was finally handed a three-month suspended sentence, he collapsed.

An ambulance was called, but was not required after court staff rushed in and administered first aid, and Mr McBride regained consciousness.

He later walked from court under his own power.