An illegal immigrant who posted “selfie” photos of a devout Muslim woman posing in a bath towel to her parents has walked free from court.

Rahid Shaikh, 28, of Firsby Road, Stoke Newington, had a relationship with the victim, who cannot be named, until 2012, which was kept secret from her family.

When she finished with him he constantly called her, followed her in the street and would harass her outside her workplace, leading her to agree to see him occasionally “as a friend”, Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Last December he left dozens of abusive and threatening messages on her brother’s phone.

Then on January 4, Shaikh told her he had pictures of her and arranged to meet in a McDonalds car park where he showed her photos she had taken of herself, including shots in a negligee and a towel.

He threatened to distribute them unless she “had fun” with him, and grabbed her phone and spat in her face when she tried to call the police.

He later posted the photos to her parents and neighbour.

When he was arrested on January 5, police found a rucksack full of hundreds of images of the woman in her underwear with her name, address and “Sex: £50” written on the back.

The victim said in a statement she has nightmares he is climbing through her window and no longer feels safe.

Sentencing him to seven-and-a-half months in prison suspended for two years, Judge Sally-Ann Hales said: “You not only embarrassed her, but considering her background and her faith you don’t know the danger you put her in and how her family and her community might have reacted.”

Shaikh admitted assault and harassment and was ordered to complete 80 hours unpaid work and a 60-day intensive anti-domestic violence course.

A blackmail charge was dropped.