A “WICKED” teenager who harassed grieving mothers, swindled people out of thousands of pounds and threatened to petrol bomb someone’s house has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Katie Ringer, 19, previously of Shoebury but who now lives in Norfolk, sent defaced photographs of children with offensive, racist and sexual comments to mothers via the Blackberry messenger service.

Ringer pleaded guilty to the offences in November and today was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court.

Judge Samantha Leigh, when addressing Ringer, said: “What you did has only one word for it and that is wicked.

“You spun a web of lies to draw these people in.

“You preyed on the generosity of the British public, especially when calling for money for children, and we know how generous the public can be.

“I have read all the victim impact statements and it is clear how hurt these people still feel.”

Ringer received a nine month sentence for defrauding 23 people out of a total approaching £3,000 by falsifying donation websites claiming a number of stories, including one that she had a premature baby and needed money for special equipment.

A separate sentence of two years was handed down for sending threatening messages to Mandy Baldwin, saying she was going to petrol bomb her Shoebury home.

Finally, she was given another three months for harassing grieving mothers by taking photos of their dead children and defacing them before sending them back to the mothers with vile messages attached.

The offences were committed between August 2012 and June 2014, though police say Ringer’s victims are still suffering as a result of her actions.

In mitigation, Ringer’s legal representative Mike Warren pleaded for a suspended sentence but admitted severity of his client’s actions.

He said: “All of these were evil offences committed from her own bedroom.

“Cowardly offences she does accept have caused great distress to individuals and their wider families.

“The family have banned her from having a mobile phone.

“The progress of time has not seen any further offences and it does afford some positive hope for the future.”

  • For the full story and reaction from her victims see tomorrow's Echo.