A teenage girl who threated to jump off a bridge over the M602 motorway while she was grieving the loss of her mother has been convicted by a court of causing a 'public nuisance.'

The teen's punishment has been criticised by mental health charity bosses, who say people in crisis should be treated with dignity and respect rather than being criminalised.

Kady Lee, 18, had never been in trouble with the police until they were repeatedly called out over fears she was about to jump 40 feet into the path of traffic travelling along the busy motorway near Eccles .

In the latest incident last April, the college student from Swinton had to be talked to safety by a police constable after she stood on a ledge just 12 inches wide saying: "My life isn't worth living."

The motorway had to be closed for around 20 minutes whilst a total of 16 different officers dealt with the incident.

Inquiries revealed that Lee, who has a personality disorder, had earlier left a hospital where she had been admitted for an incident of self harm.

(Image: M.E.N.)

Police recognised her as they had been called out on five previous occasions to save her when she threatened to jump off the same bridge.

Lee said she had been mourning the passing of her mother who died suddenly in May last year, aged 47.

Prosecutors said almost 1,000 motorists were delayed and taxpayers would have to pay £560 towards the cost of policing the incident.

At Manchester magistrates court, Lee admitted an offence of "cause a nuisance to the public by threatening to jump off the motorway bridge."

Magistrates ordered her to complete a 12-month community order and pay £200 in court costs, warning the teenager she had caused "massive inconvenience."

Prosecutor, Tess Kenyon told the hearing: ''On Saturday April 27th, a police constable attended an incident on the bridge which crosses the M602.

"The officer recognised Kady Lee as this was the 6th time police have been called to the same location for the same sort of incident.

"The M602 was brought to a standstill and some roads around the area were closed for the safety of other road users and people dealing with the situation.

''The officer states she [Lee] had attended Salford Royal Hospital for self harm earlier that day. She left the hospital before she had spoken to staff."

Officers on the M602 had started to turn the traffic round to get them back to the nearest junction when Lee walked back along the ledge, came over railings and was seen to by emergency workers, the court was told.

The motorway had to be closed for between 15 and 20 minutes.

"Around 16 police officers assisted and the incident went on for 90 minutes at least," Miss Kenyon said.

"Two officers from the police negotiation team attended and the financial implications of that was around £560.

''The impact on other road users is hard to estimate. Motorists impacted including everyone from regular road users to heavy goods vehicle drivers.

"Calculations can estimate that between 450-900 vehicles were impacted.

''But this same incident has occurred five times before throughout February and March of this year - same place same circumstances.

"She has no criminal convictions but there were five previous incidents like this one.''

In mitigation defence lawyer Peter Broderick said: ''My client has been recorded as saying she ‘has nothing to live for’. There is sadness surrounding her life but there’s no need to go into detail in open court.

''On May 17 last year she lost the most important person in her life and in January of this year she lost her grandmother who she was very close with and who was very important to her.

''In April this year she lost her uncle who again was a very important influence in her life.

"All of these hardships got the better of her and this is why she has acted like this. She has been admitted to a care facility to support her from the middle of last year until February this year."

"But she suffers from an unstable personality disorder. Recently there has been some improvements made to her living space and she does feel more at home there."

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Magistrates told Lee: "A community order is the recommendation and that is what we have decided on. Use this well to deal with your bereavement.

"This has caused a massive inconvenience to the public and no-one wants to be subject to this sort of inconvinience.

"You must move forward with your life. This sort of behaviour doesn’t cause anyone any good least of all you.

"Don't find yourself in breach of payments or not attending appointments with probation.

"If you do you will find yourself back in court and you don't want to be back here do you?"

Lisa Barnes set up the campaign Bridge The Gap , after she considered taking her own life on top of a railway bridge in Tameside.

Together, the group put messages of support for those thinking of taking their own life on Greater Manchester's motorway bridges.

Speaking of Miss Lee's conviction, Lisa said: "For me, when I was on that bridge it was the most desperate place I have ever been.

"For someone to threaten to jump from a bridge six times, that person needs help. But for them to be fined is not the way.

"I completely understand the situation from both sides - you have got the police and ambulance coming out and it does cause an awful lot of upheaval and it can have an impact on everybody, especially motorists in their cars watching this person.

"But fining someone just doesn't sit right - it seems like she was crying out for help.

"I think if she has been diagnosed with a personality disorder that is very harsh. Where is the support for that poor young girl?

"I can understand both sides, I really can, but fining her £200 is not going to stop from doing this again."

Greater Manchester Police have declined to comment on the case.

Alison Cobb, Specialist Policy Advisor at Mind, said: “Police officers are often first on the scene when someone is experiencing a mental health crisis and have to deal with challenging situations quickly and calmly.

"It’s really important that anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or actions is dealt with sensitively, compassionately and with dignity and respect, rather than being criminalised.

“Most people who try to take their own life have been in touch with mental health services, but not everyone.

"After years of underfunding, we’ve long been campaigning for greater investment in NHS mental health services so that everyone who needs it can get the help and support they need.

"It’s also vital people get help early on, before becoming more unwell and needing more intensive and expensive treatment.

"The welcome NHS long term plan comes with extra money ringfenced for mental health services.

"We need to make sure this funding reaches the frontline and translates to the experiences people get when they ask for help.”