A 37-YEAR-OLD woman has been convicted of harassment after targeting a Winsford couple with homophobic abuse.

Gemma Waters had been due to stand trial at South Cheshire Magistrates’ Court on Friday (October 29) but failed to appear.

But magistrates at the court in Crewe proceeded without her and found her guilty in her absence.

One of the victims in the case told the court the harassment she had suffered made her feel like she was being 'discriminated against' in her own home, somewhere that should be her 'safe space'.

In January, Waters, now c/o Montrose Court, Chester, told this woman, ‘Prepare for the worst month of your life', and 'I'm going to kill you, child or no child, she can watch if she wants'.

Appearing in court, the woman told magistrates how Waters also banged on her door and spat on it.

She added: "I just felt more vulnerable living at the property and scared to be in my own home."

On one occasion in January, the court heard how the woman's partner was taking out the rubbish when Waters was heard telling her dog to 'go kill'.

Giving evidence, the woman said: "I was worried about my partner being down there because we didn't know how the dog was going to react."

Waters continued her harassment of the couple and in March, shouting: "A child should have a mother and a father, not a mother and a mother, chopping your hair off don't make a difference.

"How can you two adopt anyway?"

On a separate occasion, Waters said: "All the germs you given me you dirty, smelly, rotten *****.”

The court heard how it is believed these comments were targeting the fact one of the victims is transgender.

Waters, who was not represented in court, was arrested on May 1 and told police she had done 'nothing wrong'.

She answered no comment to any questions about particular incidents of harassment against the couple.

Waters will be sentenced at a later date and a warrant has been issued for her arrest.

Also on October 29, Waters was due to appear at Chester Magistrates' Court to be sentenced for unrelated matters.

She was fined £50 for being drunk and disorderly by the canal in Westminster Road, Chester, on September 30, plus £85 in prosecution costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

Waters was also fined an additional £50 for being in breach of a 12-month conditional discharge imposed in Mold in March 2021 for possession of cannabis, dating back to February 17 at Mountain Park Hotel, Flint Mountain, Flintshire.