Sarah Bramley, 29, (pictured outside Teesside Crown Court in June) today pleaded guilty to inciting an assault

A mother-of-two has admitted inciting her jealous ex-boyfriend to murder her new partner after she sent him an explicit picture of them together.

Sarah Bramley, 29, sent a photograph of herself performing a sex act on Michael Lawson, 34, to her former partner David Saunders, 34.

Along with goading Bramley with the explicit image, she even told Saunders that Lawson was outside her house, urging him to 'smack the c***'.

The image 'tipped Saunders over the edge' and he crossed town to lie in wait for Mr Lawson before stabbing him in the heart in Darlington, County Durham.

Saunders was jailed for life with a minimum terms of 22 and a half years.

Bramley fled the UK soon after the murder last July but was arrested in April after re-entering the UK earlier this year.

In May she was charged with inciting an assault but denied the offence at magistrates' court that month, and again at Teesside Crown Court in June.

But appearing at the same court today she changed her plea to guilty, on the basis that she did not intend for Saunders to commit murder and only anticipated 'a minor assault'.

Bramley sent a photograph of herself performing a sex act on Michael Lawson, 34, (pictured together) to her former partner David Saunders, 34

David Saunders was jailed for life with a minimum terms of 22 and a half years

When he sentenced Saunders in December, Judge Stephen Ashurst said Bramley's picture 'tipped [Saunders] over the edge' and had 'a very important bearing' on his actions.

The court heard Bramley 'knew Saunders had made repeated threats of violence against [Mr Lawson] and told him he could 'feel free to assault him'.

Bramley's defence lawyer Robert Newcombe told the hearing today: 'My client has indicated that she pleads guilty on the basis of incitement to cause common assault.'

Judge Ashurst asked prosecutor Nick Dry: 'This is notwithstanding the fact she knew Saunders had a reputation for violence and that he carried weapons?'

Mr Dry answered: 'We have come to conclusion that she did not intend to happen what in fact did happen.'

Bramley, who will be sentenced in October, faces up to six months in prison.

In May Bramley (pictured outside court in June) was charged with inciting an assault but denied the offence at magistrates' court that month, and again at Teesside Crown Court in June

Father-of-one Michael Lawson (pictured with Bramley) was stabbed through the heart

The image 'tipped Saunders over the edge' and he crossed town to lie in wait for Mr Lawson (pictured) before stabbing him in the heart in Darlington, County Durham

During the hearing last year the court heard that after performing the sex act on father-of-one Mr Lawson and sending the photograph of it to Saunders, Sarah then slapped her lover and ordered him to leave the house.

She is alleged to have texted Saunders saying: 'I have just smashed the lad clean in the face because he wouldn't go home. What have I got myself involved with?

'He is outside the house, feel free to smack the c***.'

Bramley, who will be sentenced in October, faces up to six months in prison

Pictured: Sarah Bramley on holiday near the beach with an erotic statue

Saunders admitted murder but sought to lower the minimum term he must serve by claiming he did not carry the knife to the scene and did not intend to kill Michael.

But following a two day trial of issue without a jury, Judge Ashurst found him guilty.

Judge Ashurst told Saunders in December: 'I am absolutely certain that photographic image was sent by her to wind you up and there is clearly no doubt she succeeded because within a few moments you arranged for a taxi to drive you to the other side of Darlington to Sarah Bramley's house.

'She by turns was less than complimentary taunting you that you were inferior to her new partner but she was absolutely clear she did not want you in her life.

'The posting by her of her giving oral sex to another man tipped you over the edge. The content of the messages had a very important bearing on your state of mind and the way you subsequently acted.'