Woman jailed for hate-related communications

A woman has been jailed after admitting hate related communications.

Julie Sweeney, of Lawtongate Estate in Church Lawton, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 14 August.

The 53-year-old was sentenced to 15 months after pleading guilty to sending communications threatening death or serious harm (S181 Online Safety Act 2023).

On Monday 5 August, Cheshire Police received a complaint in relation to the hateful tone of a message which had been posted on a community Facebook group in the Kidsgrove area.

Sweeney was subsequently identified from her online profile and arrested.

She was later charged with the offence.

A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said:

“Since the start of the recent disorder in other areas of the UK, we have been clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Cheshire, including those who post abusive and threatening messages online.

“People may think that posting hateful messages on social media, instead of engaging in this sort of behaviour in person, offers them some sort of anonymity. But this could not be further from the truth.

“As this case demonstrates, there is nowhere to hide. If you choose to engage in this behaviour, whether in person or online, we will find you and you will be held responsible.”

Pictured - Julie Sweeney, of Lawtongate Estate in Church Lawton.