A PREGNANT woman who repeatedly harassed a complete stranger has been spared jail.

       Shelby Gratty, 21, ordered takeaways to her home, made hoax fire service phone calls to her address and bombarded her with facebook messages.

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       Shelby Gratty in 2020 Credit: Cavendish

       Minshull Street Crown Court heard how on October 9 Gratty rang emergency services and reported a non-existent blaze at the complainant’s home in Dukinfield, Manchester.

       Prosecuting, Claire Brocklebank told how Gratty messaged the woman saying: "Is your house on fire hahahaha".

       She then added: "The black c**t is on fire" - which is thought to be in reference to the complainant’s ex-partner.

       On other occasions Gratty ordered five takeaways to be delivered to her home.

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       Then, when the woman blocked Gratty on social media, she set up another account and contacted her again, reports Manchester Evening News.

       She messaged: "If you don' t want trouble at your door, keep out of it."

       In a statement the complainant said: "I have recently lost my sister.

       "This has caused me a great deal of anxiety and stress. The last thing I need is someone I don't even know harassing me."

       Gratty has previous convictions for making nine hoax calls to the police when she sent officers to another person’s address.

       She pleaded guilty to harassment of another and to sending false messages by public electric communications network, causing annoyance and inconvenience and anxiety, and has been remanded in custody at Styal Prison in Cheshire.

       Defending, Mark Harper said Gratty was pregnant and that the five days she spent in Styal Prison was a “wake up call”.

       He also explained how she had mental health issues and had suffered domestic violence.

       He said: "She had strong mitigation and her own vulnerability that she presents."

       Miss Recorder Abigail Hudson said Gratty's actions had caused "persistent, albeit it limited, distress" to the complainant.

       She said Gratty had wasted public money, put people in genuine need at risk by hoax calling emergency services.

       She also pointed out that she had caused restaurants to lose money cooking food that was not required.

       She said: "Your offending is quite frankly mean.

       "I understand you are immature but people don't behave like this just because they are a bit childish. Causing a fire engine to attend is a disgraceful thing to do.

       "You were incredibly fortunate in March not to go into prison for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs. You should go to prison but you are only 21.

       "I give you the benefit of the doubt and will give you one final chance and one final probation order.

       "If you breach the order you will go into custody."

       Gratty was handed a 21 month sentence suspended for 24 months, 25 days Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days and 80 hours unpaid work.

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       She pleaded guilty to harassment of another and to sending false messages by public electric communications network, causing annoyance and inconvenience and anxiety Credit: MEN Media

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