A WOMAN spent months harassing her ex-husband's partner with 'distressing' texts and phone calls.

Jennie Hickman, of Carrington Walk, appeared in Warrington Magistrates' Court on Friday after repeatedly calling Sally Jackson a psycho and a prostitute.

The 44-year-old sent texts and made phone calls to Sally between March 15 and July 7, last year and turned up unexpectedly at her home, outside times that she was scheduled to pick up her children from her ex-husband Paul Thompson.

Alison Warburton, prosecuting, read a victim personal statement from the victim about the distress Hickman's harassment has caused her.

It read: "She has gone out of her way to harass me and split us up.

"I am worried for the safety of my children – they are scared of her behaviour."

The court heard how Hickman accepted that she sent the messages but did not believe it was classed as harassment.

She said her ex-husband told her to get in touch with Sally if she had a problem with her which is what she decided to do.

Hickman, who has no previous convictions, was found guilty in January, at a hearing she failed to attend.

A report from the probation service and a mental health report was also required to help the court in its decision.

Representing herself in court, Hickman did not make any comment in her own defence during the sentencing.

Michael Danaher, chairman of the magistrates' bench, said: "We consider that this has passed the custody threshold."

Hickman was handed a 12-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months.

She was also ordered to pay £885 in court costs and is subject to a restraining order against Sally Jackson and Paul Thompson for 10 years.

READ > Mum-of-two died walking across M62 after evening out with friends

Speaking after the sentencing, Sally Jackson said she hoped the restraining order will allow her to get her life back.

She explained: "It's been awful – I have lost hair through this.

"I have been scared because she would come to the door shouting.

"I have ended up with a very small group of friends because of things she has said – I was scared to even go in the school playground to drop off my children.

"I've lived my life hiding away.

"Hopefully this will be enough for her to stop." 

Hickman has said that she does not accept the sentence and will be appealing the court's decision. 

A date is yet to be confirmed for the hearing.