Harrogate woman, 18, pleads guilty to sending offensive WhatsApp messages

A young woman appeared at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, October 18.

Leah Marchinton, 18, was charged with sending via a public communications network an offensive, indecent, obscene or threatening message or subject matter.

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

Prosecutor Mel Ibbotson told the court Marchinton, who wore black leggings and a black hoodie to court, went to stay with her mother for a few days on April 4. She took the train to Selby, and that’s when she became “angry” with the intended victim.

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

The accused threatened to slash the recipient’s tires, the court heard, then sent a message saying: