OAP denies threat to kill Theresa May

A Fife pensioner accused of threatening to kill Theresa May and masterminding a series of bomb hoaxes has maintained her innocence at her latest pre-trial hearing.

Isabella Jackson, 72, of Braehead Gardens, Buckhaven, is expected to stand trial next month after maintaining not guilty pleas to five charges of threatening and abusive behaviour under the Communications Act at her latest court appearance in Kirkcaldy.

The charges against Jackson state that on November 24 2014 she behaved in a threatening and abusive manner likely to cause fear or alarm at her home in Buckhaven or at the Palace of Westminster.

A second charge alleges that on the same date, also at her home or at GCHQ in Cheltenham, she then threatened to kill Mrs May – who was in her previous role as Home Secretary at the time.

Bomb scares against two US embassies are alleged to have been emailed between December 13 2014 and January 7 2015 at her home and GCHQ, while another charge alleges that on September 14 2015, the pensioner sent an email inducing the belief that there was a bomb at Harrods in Knightsbridge, London.

A further charge alleges that Jackson sent a message to Fife Council between August 30 and September 10 2015 stating that a Susan Johnston had died and caused her annoyance, inconvenience and needless anxiety.

At the latest pre- trial hearing in Kirkcaldy, Sheriff Jamie Gilchrist heard that a number of witnesses granted anonymity orders will give evidence via CCTV from Gloucester Crown Court, although a formal letter requesting use of the court facilities will have to be sent to English authorities prior to the trial.

Bail for Jackson, who appeared at court in a wheelchair, was continued and she has been excused from next week’s hearing.