A bully sent a series of terrifying violent Instagram messages to a vulnerable woman, leading to her having an overdose.

Liam Newman, of Walmersley Road, Bury, began sending vile messages of abuse to his victim after learning his girlfriend had an argument with her and other friends.

The 21-year-old, who lived nearby to the woman, targeted her towards the start of this year, making serious violent threats such as that “she would be stabbed” and “telling her to kill herself”, prosecutor Peter Wilson told Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

Newman also warned her he was “not scared to come to your house”.

He messaged her insults, calling her “ugly” and a “slag” before the damage to her mental wellbeing built up so much that she ended up in hospital in February after an overdose of medical tablets.

But the campaign of disgusting abuse carried on and on March 8, two "males" approached the woman, grabbed her arm and threatened her on behalf of Newman.

He later mentioned the incident in a subsequent message to her even though he was not involved in the attack.

He also told her he has a “gun in his home”, Mr Wilson said.

Newman was arrested in mid March and later pleaded guilty to stalking by causing serious alarm or distress.

In a victim impact statement, the woman, who has a history of mental health problems, expressed how frightened she was of him and did not understand why he made such awful threats towards her.

“I just want Liam to leave me alone so I can move on with my life”, she said.

The court heard Newman, who had no previous convictions, has a number of “cognitive difficulties” and an unsettled background growing up.

Due to his upbringing, he deals with protecting people he cares for, such as his girlfriend, irrationally, the court was told.

Megan Tollitt, defending, said he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had expressed remorse for his actions.

Addressing Newman, Judge Angela Nield made reference to two other similar cases which were reported but did not end up in court, making the point that he has been in trouble before.

She said “it is very common for people to read the papers [and see] individuals who have took their lives” because they have been bullied, threatened or encouraged to kill themselves.

Judge Nield jailed Newman for two years, half of which he will serve in prison and take into consideration the time he has already been in custody.

The rest of the sentence will be served on licence.

An indefinite restraining order was made banning him from being within 100m of his victim and not to contact her or post any social media messages about her.