"I saw you with that man ??? as you continue to behave like this, I will ruin you," another message said, giving her a deadline to make contact.

Soon afterwards, the man sending the messages, Haipeng Lu, posted a photograph of the woman in a sexual pose on the Chinese social media site Weibo.

"Read Weibo - the more you don't want to appease me, the more serious the situation will be. Do you think ignoring me is OK, and I will let it go? Haha," another message said.

The woman contacted Weibo and had the photograph taken down, only for Lu to post images of her in a sheer blouse.

She reported Lu to police in September, and, while she was sitting with an officer making a statement, she received more threats.

"Nine pictures within one hour - you still have a chance to explain."

Lu, 25, pleaded guilty to stalking and intimidating, publishing an indecent article, and using a carriage service to harass.

In the Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday, magistrate Susan McIntyre was visibly angry when Lu's lawyer asked that no conviction be recorded, noting it was his first offence.

"It is serious, aggressive violence, that's what it is," Ms McIntyre said, shaking her head.

Ms McIntyre handed Lu an 18-month suspended jail term, and a $5000 fine.

The magistrate summoned Corrective Services officers to the court. They handcuffed Lu and took him away to sign papers allowing his release.

"The court has not hesitated to classify it as what I perceive to be a fairly extreme example of what has come to be known as revenge porn," Ms McIntyre said.

Ms McIntyre said Lu had tried to blame his victim, and had acted in a jealous rage.

"Quite frankly, it's the worst nightmare of anyone. It is the worst kind of psychological violence."

She said it was an extreme example of intimidation, featuring threats, demands and jealousy.

"This type of incident is more common than ever and, somewhere along the line, a strong message needs to be sent to other offenders, and the offender himself.

"I would have thought the victim is permanently damaged ??? and exposed internationally in a terribly compromising and embarrassing sexual pose."

Lu must adhere to the terms of a good behaviour bond for the length of his sentence.