Woman called up nurseries, threatening to kill
A 22-year-old woman from the Black Country called up nurseries threatening to arrive with knives and guns and kill everyone, a court heard.
Eight malicious phone calls were made by Rebecca Cooper of Parkhill Street, Dixons Green, Dudley, on Wednesday, and led to children being taken to safety inside by scared staff.
Cooper appeared before Dudley Magistrates' Court yesterday in custody and pleaded guilty to eight counts of malicious communication and one charge of racially aggravated behaviour towards a police officer, all committed on March 15.
The calls were all to different nurseries but the same threats of gang violence and use of weapons were made by Cooper.
Those targeted included Fairytale Day Nursery in Dudley, the Stanmore Day Nursery in Edgbaston, ABC Nursery in Coventry and Sunrise Day Nursery in Sutton Coldfield.
Prosecutor Mr Roger Blezzard said: "Staff at the nurseries, given the times we are living in, shepherded the children inside and alerted the police, concerned at what might happen.
"It was extremist words that she was going to enter the nurseries with weapons, knives and guns and kill everyone. Threats of gang violence."
Representing Cooper, Miss Alisha Harris said that she believed her client needed psychiatric support and asked for the case to be adjourned so that a report could be prepared and to link with other charges.
Miss Harris said: "She is due to start CBT (cognitive behavourial therapy) and had she not been in custody she would have actually commenced that today.
"Her personal difficulties with her own children and the authorities are a factor. But there is no excuse for her behaviour."
The district judge adjourned the case to Birmingham Magistrates Court today for sentencing.
An application to grant bail for these offences was refused.
