MOTHER-of-one Christine Cornish, who sent death threat letters to a policeman who had once arrested her, has walked free from court.

The 29-year-old. of Weston Road, put PC Marcus Forbes-George and his family in fear, Gloucester Crown Court was told.

As well as sending the threatening letters, Cornish also made hoax 999 calls and was caught carrying a sharp metal spike.

Judge John Neligan told her the death threat campaign was "sustained and extremely unpleasant".

He sentenced her to 36 weeks jail suspended for a year. She was also placed under supervision for a year and the judge made a three-year restraining order barring her from contacting PC Forbes-George.

The court was told the offences were all committed within weeks of her appearing before the crown court in July when she admitted two offences of carrying offensive weapons and was given a community order with supervision.

Cornish pleaded guilty to putting PC Forbes-George in fear of violence by harassment between July 26 and August 7 last year. She also admitted she had a bladed article with her in public in Eastgate Street on August 24, and admitted making hoax phone calls in December.

Prosecutor Mary Harley said the officer received a letter addressed to him at Barton Street police station which said: "You are going to die". A further three similar letters were then sent.

Security measures had to be put in place by the force for the policeman's protection, Mrs Harley said.

The officer made a statement saying he felt "extremely concerned" at the threat not only to himself but to his partner, his family and twin brother.

"I am constantly looking over my shoulder, which has made me feel anxious and nervous," he said.

Philip Warren, defending, said she has learning difficulties and she never posed a real threat.

The judge told Cornish: "The officer was understandably left in fear that he was going to suffer violence."