Woman who sent ex-partner picture of sex act with new lover convicted after he took murderous revenge

'Ultimately a life was needlessly lost because of a loss of control,' judge says

Friday 14 September 2018 12:48 EDT

Sarah Bramley leaves Teesside Crown Court with her solicitor after denying an incitement charge

A woman has admitted in court that she sent an intimate photo to her ex-boyfriend, who then murdered the man in the image out of jealousy.

Sarah Bramley,29, pleaded guilty at Teesside Crown Court to encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, a court official said.

Ms Bramley sent a photo of herself performing a sex act on her new boyfriend, Michael Lawson, 34, to her former partner, David Saunders, 33.

It is understood that Ms Bramley believed that Mr Saunders would carry out common assault because of the photograph.

But shortly after receiving the photo, Mr Saunders stabbed Mr Lawson through the heart in the early hours of 1 July 2017 in Darlington.

Mr Lawson, a father-of-one, died after the attack.

Mr Saunders admitted murdering Mr Lawson and was jailed for life in December. He faces a minimum term of 22 and a half years.

"Jealousy was very much at the heart of your behaviour," Judge Stephen Ashurst told Mr Saunders at the time.

"Ultimately a life was needlessly lost because of a loss of control."

Ms Bramley was granted bail and will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in October.

Press Association contributed to this report