A woman who used social media to harass a former partner has received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for a year.

The 24-year-old from Sittingbourne, who we cannot name for legal reasons, appeared at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court.

It heard how, earlier this year, she caused the victim to fear violence would be used against him by sending him threatening messages via Facebook.

She was also said to have posted a photo of the man, who she had been in a sexual relationship with about nine years ago, saying he was a paedophile and to spread the word.

At the time, she was 15 and he was 18.

The defendant had pleaded guilty to harassment at an earlier hearing.

In her defence, she was said to have suffered a history of mental health and drug problems.

Her Facebook messages, the court was told, were sent between June 26 and July 5 and followed a holiday abroad when, in an incident not connected to this case, she had been sexually assaulted.

Angry about what had happened, she had targeted the man, telling him she was going to the police to report him for underage sex.

As well as the suspended sentence, magistrates ordered her to undergo a 50-day rehabilitation course and pay costs of £85 and a £115 victim surcharge.

A restraining order was also imposed, preventing her from contacting or going to the address of the man she had messaged.