Cassop woman escapes immediate jail term for threats to ex-friend

Natalie Graham narrowly escaped an immediate prison sentence despite flouting the protection from harassment order, a civil injunction, within weeks of it being issued by Durham County Court, in January.

Durham Crown Court was told the order was made following countless complaints of harassment by a former friend of Graham, against whom she had turned.

Alexander Strother, prosecuting, said, “of most relevance” was the prohibition from threatening violence against the victim or suggest anyone else should do so.

Durham Crown Court was told the defendant Natalie Graham breached a protection from harassment injunction within weeks of it being issued (Image: Durham Crown Court)

But within a short time of the order being issued, Graham was contacting her about once a week.

Mr Strother said the messages continued to cause the victim to fear violence would be used against her.

Some of the messages were sent to a friend of the victim, who was also made subject of threats.

Mr Strother said the victim was told to “count her days” and that both her and her friend would, “get jumped or burned”.

Graham conceded she would “get s**t for this, but it’s worth it”, as, she said her ex-friend, “deserves a kicking”, also telling her: “Not to mess with me anymore”.

A screenshot of the defendant’s TikTok account was also sent to the victim containing a bloodied knife emoji.

When arrested and interviewed in late March, Graham made no comment replies to all questions.

But on her first court appearance, before magistrates, on July 16, the 25-year-old defendant of Dene View, Cassop, near Durham, admitted harassment in breach of a civil injunction and threatening words and behaviour.

The case was sent to the crown court for sentence.

Graham was said to have only one previous conviction, assaulting an emergency worker in March 2024, for which she was fined.

In an impact statement read to the court her victim said she was left fearing for her safety which played on her mind and led to her suffering stress.

She was worried about leaving her home unaccompanied, even to walk her dog, and avoided public transport in case she bumped into the defendant.

The victim added that she has now had a diagnosis of complex ptsd.

Charlie Thompson, for Graham, said these proceedings have served as, “a stark reminder” and, “a shot across the bows” to the defendant, “that this is not the sort of behaviour that can be tolerated.”

He said she has diagnoses for unstable personality disorder and psychosis, while she also believes she suffers with PTSD.

“She was a patient at a psychiatric hospital having been sectioned, demonstrating the seriousness of her mental health issues.”

He said that at the time of the offending she was not taking her medication and, instead, “self-medicating” by binge-drinking and misusing drugs, impacting on her control of her inhibitions.

Mr Thompson said the defendant is now taking her proper medication and has the “valued support” of a community psychiatric nurse.

He added that her early guilty pleas, “demonstrated the extent of her remorse, and she does have remorse, now her symptoms are under control.”

Mr Thompson added: “She’s ashamed of the way she conducted herself.”

He explained the victim had been a former friend with whom she had a falling out.

“It doesn’t excuse her actions but does provide some context how this happened in the first place,” added Mr Thompson.

Judge Edward Legard told the defendant the terms of the protection from harassment order, “couldn’t have been clearer”.

“Despite the clear and unequivocal terms of that order you continued to contact and attempted to make contact with the victim, in total defiance of it.”

The judge said such behaviour can have, “profound, long-lasting and damaging consequences” for those on the receiving end.

 He said the defendant’s mental health issues, exacerbated by her use of drink and drugs, appeared to have affected her behaviour.

Imposing a 12-month prison he said he could suspend it for 18 months, during which Graham must attend a minimum of 25 rehabilitation activity days with the Probation Service.

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He also issued a five-year restraining order, prohibiting the defendant from contacting or approaching the victim.

Judge Legard warned Graham she risked a prison sentence of up to five years if the order is breached.

She must also pay £150 costs within 28 days.