Trans woman, 44, who threatened to kill, blind and break the backs of women's rights campaigners Kellie-Jay Keen and Helen Joyce is given suspended jail sentence after court hears it happened during a 'mental health struggle'

A trans woman who threatened to kill, blind and break the backs of woman's rights campaigners Kellie-Jay Keen - known as Posie Parker - and Helen Joyce has been spared jail.

Layla Le Fey, 44, was handed a suspended jail sentence after the court heard she had been struggling with her mental health when she made the treats of extreme violence and arson towards the activists.

One post from Le Fey said: 'I'm a trans woman and I'm not ashamed to admit I'd be happy to physically kick the s*** out of you and pull your eyes out and break your spine'.

In another post, Le Fey wrote: 'If you want to prove your point that some trans people are extremely violent, I'm game', while a third she said she wanted to burn Mrs Keen - founder of the group Standing for Women.

'I'd be interested in setting fire to her house with her in it,' Le Fey wrote on social media.

Le Fey pleaded guilty to four offences under the communications act including threats of arson.

Today magistrates in Brighton sentenced Le Fey to 20 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

In a victim statement, Mrs Keen said she wanted to make clear the threats against her were made by a man.

'A violent man committed a crime,' she said. The violent threats had far greater impact on my husband and children than me. They are very worried for my safety. 

'Terrorising women into silence was the intent of this man. I want to make it clear, this crime was committed by a man.'

She added: 'This is what happens when women speak up. I didn't want to elevate this person's comments, so I did not respond. These tweets disturbed me and I've no doubt given the opportunity this person would have carried out these threats.'

Journalist Ms Joyce is the author of Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality, said in her victim statement that she had researched Le Fey for her book. 

She told the court. 'I am used to abuse and threats, most of which I ignore. I found a Daily Mail online article on her threatening behaviour. I immediately took this threat as serious.

'My whereabouts is often known and I have no doubt, given the opportunity, this person would be a threat to my wellbeing.'

The author described the Le Fey's tweets as premeditated threats towards women.

'These threats are meant to intimidate and frighten us,' she said.

Three of the threatening posts were made in March and one in June last year with Le Fey being arrested by Sussex Police a few days after her final post.

Le Fey pleaded guilty to four counts of sending an offensive/obscene/menacing message via public communication network.

Defending, Cathy Walker said Le Fey was struggling with her mental health and was frustrated by anti-trans rights comments online and this frustration spilled over.

Mrs Walker said: 'She didn't hide her identity when these posts were made. She understands that line was crossed. She had no intention of carrying out those threats but understands how they could be perceived by someone else.'

Chair Ian Goodwin concluded: 'All of these offences are very serious. The victims have taken the threats to be genuine and have altered their lifestyle.'

Le Fey was sentenced to 10 weeks consecutively for the threats against Mrs Keen and Dr Joyce and another 10 concurrent weeks.

An 18 month restraining order was also made preventing Le Fey from contacting or attending events involving either Mrs Keen or Dr Joyce.

Le Fey will also have to undertake 25 rehabilitation activity days and pay a total of £239 in costs and surcharge.

'We belive there is a realistic chance of rehabilitation. If we had not, you would have gone to prison this afternoon,' Mr Goodwin added.