Emily-Jo Banks, 23, was jailed for 18 months for waiting police officers' time after sending herself abusive messages claiming they were sent to her from a man in Dover

A woman who sent abusive texts to herself and claimed she was being persistently harassed by a man has been jailed for wasting police time.

Emily-Jo Banks, 23, told police that a man was targeting her throughout August and September in 2015.

She claimed the man, aged in his 20s, followed her home, spied on her while she was in her back garden, sent threatening texts, attacked her and climbed onto her garage.

Officers visited her home in Folkestone, Kent, and acted on her concerns, but she was caught out after a number of suspicious incidents.

Police attended the man's address in Dover and found the man had not sent any messages at the times Banks claimed she had received them.

They also found the messages stopped while officers were inside her home.

In one incident, Banks, who at the time was doing work in the back garden, claimed to have received two texts in quick succession concerning dogs outside the front of her home.

Banks was arrested and subsequently appeared at Canterbury Crown Court (pictured) on July 7

Officers questioned how one person could view the front and rear of the property at the same time.

They examined Banks' phone and found she was logged into the man's social media profiles and was sending herself threatening messages.

Her phone was also linked to an email address she claimed the man had used to send information about herself to the social services and media organisations.

She was arrested and subsequently appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on July 7 where she was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Natasha Russell said: 'Banks intentionally perverted the course of justice by lying to the police.

'Not only has she caused significant distress to the victim but she has also wasted the time of hardworking officers.

'The fact that she has received a prison sentence shows the seriousness of this offence. We do not take this issue lightly and anyone caught will be dealt with appropriately.'