A spiteful woman who falsely claimed her ex-partner had threatened to kill her with a samurai sword has been jailed for four years.

Emily Checksfield, of Owen Square, Deal, sparked a police investigation that led to the arrest of her former lover.

But the 41-year-old was caught lying when she was later recorded admitting that she had made up the claims.

She was locked up after being found guilty of perverting the course of justice while living in East Sussex.

Checksfield was acquitted of a burglary charge at Lewes Crown Court.

She contacted Sussex Police in April 2012 to allege her now ex-partner had threatened to kill her at a property they shared in Rye.

He was arrested and, after an investigation, charged on the authority of the Crown Prosecution Service.

"It became clear that Checksfield had made the allegation out of personal spite and that it had no foundation..." - DCI Mark Ling

But within weeks, the victim recorded a conversation with her in which she admitted the allegation was false.

She then hurriedly contacted police to try to withdraw the claim, but it was too late.

DCI Mark Ling said: "Checksfield had put this man through the ordeal of a convincing allegation, arrest, charge, initial court appearance and, for a while, a remand in custody until he secured bail.

"We will always take all allegations of violent offences very seriously, and this one was thoroughly investigated, but it became clear that Checksfield had made the allegation out of personal spite and that it had no foundation.

"It is equally important that false allegations are considered for prosecution and we worked closely with the CPS to help ensure that she was eventually brought to justice."