A young woman appeared at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (October 18).

Leah Marchinton, 18, was charged with one count of sending by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message or matter.

Marchinton, who pleaded guilty to the charge, was 17 at the time of the offence.

Prosecutor Mel Ibbotson told the court Marchinton, who wore black leggings and a black hoodie in court, went to stay with her mother for few days on April 4. She got on the train to Selby, which is when she became “angry” towards the named victim.

Ms Ibbotson said Marchinton was sending Whatsapp messages to a local children’s home company phone. The victim, who picked up the messages at the time, worked at the children’s centre.

The defendant threatened to slash the recipient's tyres, the court heard, and then sent a message saying:

Ms Ibbotson added the woman was used to difficult children, due to the nature of her job, but felt “unsafe at home and for her children” after the incident. 

She told the court:

In the aftermath, the woman was signed off from work due to struggling with her mental health and was constantly worried something would happen, Ms Ibbotson said. 

Defendant ‘struggles with her emotions’

Marchinton’s defence told the court “it’s a shame” there was a delay in court proceedings, as she could have been tried in youth court had it been heard sooner.

Youth courts in England hear cases concerning people aged between ten and 17.

The defence said Marchinton struggles with her emotions and how to communicate properly.

The incident was a “one-off”, the defence told the court, adding the message was sent to a communal company phone, used by staff members, not the individual’s personal phone. 

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentence report.

Marchinton will next appear at Harrogate Magistrates Court on November 8.