Ohio native Caitlin Sieda, has told of her upset on learning an image of her had been used on a website without her permission.

The 24-year old was pictured in her Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Halloween costume but the website cruelly posted the photo with the caption ‘Fridge Raider’.

"That picture was taken late in the evening," she explains. "I was red-faced from the heat, my makeup was sweating off and I was lacking proper boob support."

Internet users posted some horrible comments about Caitlin’s appearance, referring to her as a ‘heifer’ and suggesting she should kill herself.

Another wrote that she was a waste of space while one particularly caustic comment stated that she should die to ‘spare everyone’s eyes’.

Picture via Caitlin Sieda

Ms Sieda responded admirably on Salon.com, saying that she understands why people would write such cruel comments.

"Of course, they hadn't really thought of me as a person. Why should they? These images are throwaways, little bursts of amusement to get through a long workday.

"No one thought about the possibility that I might read those words," said Sieda. "Far less, that I would talk."

Caitlin got her own back by using her legal training to send out copyright notices. This meant most of the images were removed immediately.

An inspiration to us all she also took part in a retro pin-up shoot, helping to get her confidence back.

Girl power at its very best...