A Toothill woman sent violent death threats to an ex-partner which suggested she would hit him with a hammer.

Alicia Compton, of Beaulieu Close, appeared at Swindon Magistrates Court and indicated a plea of guilty to one charge of sending an electronic communication that conveyed threats for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to a man on November 9, 2023.

Keith Ballinger, prosecuting, told the court that the victim had known the 22-year-old defendant for four months and been in "a good relationship" before she messaged him in October saying she wanted to end it.

The victim wanted to know the reason for this decision and so they spoke about it before going their separate ways.

A month later, apparently out of the blue, he received a message saying "How pathetic can you be?"

Mr Ballinger added: "He was shocked. The messages then started to turn malicious. They made him feel scared to go to work.

"They said: 'Continue to run your mouth off and I'll be swinging at your head. Death will be on your doorstep. Watch your back. Keep your mouth shut or I'll curb you so you can't talk. If I see you, I'll hurt you, that I promise.'"

Clare Gooding, defending, described her client's actions as out of character and suggested they were retaliation for messages that the victim had sent to her first.

Miss Gooding said: "She says it was not a real relationship.

"He had been sending messages to her, spreading rumours against her, and making comments about her which she was unhappy about.

"She had asked him to stop doing this and told him to stop contacting her. She became angry and upset but had no intention of carrying out these threats, she just wanted him to leave her alone."

Compton has been supported by the Nelson Trust and completed anger management sessions since committing this offence.

Before sending the messages, she had recently come out of hospital following a significant mental health crisis and has since undergone treatment which has improved her mental wellbeing.

Head magistrate Jane Flew described the messages Compton sent as "pretty chilling" but acknowledged that she was of previous good character.

The defendant received a £200 fine and must also pay £85 in court costs and £80 to fund victim services.