A "lonely" elderly woman who intimidated a witness involved in a criminal case against her son broke down in court as she was told she would not be sent to prison.
Mary Varey, of Ightfield in Whitchurch, left "wicked" voicemails for the victim, stating she would send people to kill the victim, and she would "have no face left" if she continued to pursue charges against her son, William.
Her sentencing hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court today (Friday, June 19) was told she acted out of fear of being alone should her son be sent to prison.
William Varey was jailed in January for 23 months for coercive and controlling behaviour.
Suzanne Francis, prosecuting, said Varey had entered a guilty plea on the basis that she had not bribed the victim with money and she did not know the content of the letters she had passed on from her son.
But she admitted leaving the voicemails.
Ms Francis said the defendant had visited the victim between May 3 and 5: "The victim felt Varey was trying to guilt-trip her into dropping the charges against her son, telling her how much he loved her."
The court was told the defendant gave the victim £40, which was accepted and spent by the victim, and she agreed she would drop the charges.
The victim then received a series of voicemails from the defendant on May 4, in which she asked why she was pursuing the case, adding: "I will come for you. You will have no face left. I will kill you, I promise. I am bringing my family, you are going to be beaten to death."
Other messages said: "I will send people to kill you. If you send my boy to prison I am going to do you in."
She also threatened to hurt the victim's family.
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The letters from William Varey were dropped off by the defendant at the victim's house on May 9.
Ms Francis said in police interview that Varey denied that the voice on the voicemails was her, despite addressing herself as Mary, and commenting that the words spoken in the voicemails were "stupid".
Although there was no victim impact statement, the victim's original statement said: "I am petrified, and I feel like I am in a lot of danger as I know the defendant has family members who will act on these threats.
"I feel as though every time I walk out of my address I am going to get shot, or kidnapped, or killed."
She said that the "big" family has "an aggressive past", adding: "They used to tell me that there was a gun buried in the garden."
The court was told that Varey has some disabilities and mental health issues.
Daniel Mander, defending, indicated that he agreed with the defence, adding: "There was serious upset caused to the complainant, but I can't say a great deal about that."
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Recorder Julian Taylor indicated that he would not be sending Varey to jail immediately as she wept in the dock.
Recorder Taylor continued: "This was wicked behaviour and you shouldn't have done it, which I think you realise now. You wish you had never got involved with it and you wouldn't be in the crown court for the first time in your life."
Varey was handed a 15-month prison sentence that was suspended for two years. She must also pay a £187 victim surcharge.
Recorder Taylor commented: "Just make sure you keep out of trouble."
Varey replied: "I won't do it again."
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