A WOMAN who spent months harassing her ex-husband's partner has lost her appeal against her conviction.

Jennie Hickman, of Carrington Walk, off Battersby Lane, appeared at Chester Crown Court to appeal her 12-week suspended sentence.

She received the sentence, a 10-year restraining order and a £885 fine in court costs in March.

A report from the probation service and a mental health report was also required to help Warrington Magistrates' Court in its decision.

Paulinus Barnes, prosecuting, told the appeal at Chester that Hickman sent 'distressing' texts and phone calls to her ex husband's partner Sally Jackson.

On voicemails and text messages, she called Jackson a 'psycho and a prostitute' and said 'my husband does not even f****** like you'.

When judge Simon Berkson asked Hickman if she thought it was unacceptable to call someone a prostitute, she replied: "No it is a job."

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

Hickman insisted in court that this was a pre-arranged visit.

Ms Jackson was cross-examined and said the harassment had left her 'upset and traumatised' and that she became 'unwell with anxiety and scared of going out to places'.

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

She told the court she sent the first messages in March after being made aware of a Facebook post Ms Jackson had written about Hickman and her daughter.

Hickman said her ex-husband told her to get in touch with Ms Jackson directly if she had a problem with her which is what she decided to do.

She described herself as being 'fuming' about the Facebook post.

Despite receiving a warning from police not to contact Ms Jackson, Hickman continued to do so, the court heard.

Hickman, who has no previous convictions, was represented by Sarah Griffin who questioned Ms Jackson about the posts made on social media.

Judge Berkson reminded the barrister that Sally Jackson was not facing charges for harassment.

When ruling not to overturn the conviction, he said: "The sad facts of this case relate to the breakdown of relationships.

"Jennie Hickman has never accepted the break up of her marriage and that Paul Thompson is with someone else.

"During cross examination of the victim, Hickman took great pleasure from the questions and any distress caused."

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Hickman was ordered to pay a further £520 in court costs.