A young mum with a "pathological" dislike of her partner's brother has admitted flouting a court order that banned her from contacting him.

Kerry Clark, 27, who formerly lived in Lightfoot Drive, Harraby, Carlisle, entered guilty pleas to that offence and also to an offence of putting both her victim and his partner in fear of violence by harassment.

At Carlisle Crown Court, prosecutor Andrew Petterson outlined how the defendant committed both offences on December 11 last year, using the Facebook messenger service to send her victims a series of a threatening message.

Under the terms of an existing restraining order she is prohibited from making any contact with the couple.

The defendant, who now lives in Newcastle, threatened to kill both the man and his partner, the court was told. Paul Tweddle, for Clark, described the case as sad.

Mr Tweddle said: "There's a pathological antipathy towards [the victim and his partner]. She blames them for her children being taken into care."

The lawyer said that his client had been diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder and that she was also taking anti-psychotic medication to combat bipolar disorder.

Though she had engaged with the psychiatric services in prison, she had not done so since her release on November 18 last year.

Mr Tweddle added: "She struggles to cope in the community when released. She realises that alcohol is problematic.

"There are clear issues that I want to be evaluated. The situation seems to be getting worse rather than better."

Recorder Tony Lancaster adjourned the case until March 17 when Clark will be sentenced. In the meantime, she was remanded in custody.

Clark's victims, who have prepared victim impact statements, watched the case from the public gallery. In an earlier case, the court was told how Clark had used Facebook to issue chilling threats.

The court heard that the victim was left feeling “shocked and terrified,” the court heard.