Internet pest wins reprieve over sentence

A woman from the Black Country who bombarded Watchdog presenter Rav Wilding with abusive internet messages has had her custodial punishment quashed.

Wolverhampton Crown Court Judge Michael Challinor yesterday upheld Toneeta Beckford's appeal against her sentence.

She had originally received a suspended 20-week jail term, meaning she would only serve the time if she offended again, but this was replaced with a 12 month community order and 50 hours unpaid work.

"I am very pleased," said Beckford from Smethwick, after the hearing.

She admitted sending messages to Wilding via social networking sites Twitter and Facebook over a three-month-period.

Some of the messages included references to Allah and "judgment day".

Mr Wilding feared this could be a reference to him suffering the same fate as Jill Dando - another Crimewatch presenter who was murdered in 1999 - and increased security levels at the BBC.

But David Iles, defending, said his client did not even know who Jill Dando was. He said any type of jail sentence, suspended or not, was unnecessary.

"At the time she was depressed, she was drinking she had lost her boyfriend in a tragic car accident," said Mr Iles.

"She was hardly a master of her own emotions.

"None of these messages made reference to any physical violence."

And his submissions proved fruitful as Judge Challinor upheld the appeal.

He said: "We have had to look at messages which you posted which were rancorous, spiteful, insulting and threatening."

But he added: "It is clear to us that your view towards Mr Wilding changed and that you apologised in your own way.

"We are of the view that you now show real remorse. We do not consider that this offence warrants the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment, albeit suspended."

The appeal court ruled that a restraining order, which bans Beckford from making any contact with Wilding, should remain in force indefinitely.