A woman unhappy with her former partner after they broke up, got him arrested by police after she made up a false allegation that he had stolen her mobile phone, a court heard.

Alex Harwood, 19, made the false claim to the police after the couple broke up and police arrested her former partner and he had the ordeal of being falsely accused of a criminal offence, Norwich Crown Court heard.

Chris Youell, prosecuting, said that fortunately the victim had kept messages on his phone from Harwood which proved his innocence, and when Harwood was interviewed again by police she confessed she had made up the allegation.

Mr Youell said: 'She said she was going to stitch him up because of the way the relationship had gone. She was a woman scorned.'

In an impact statement the victim said that he was put in fear of being prosecuted for something he had not done and was worried about seeing Harwood in case she made up any more allegations against him.

Harwood of Williams Way, Holt, admitted doing an act to pervert the course of justice.

John Morgans, for Harwood, said that Harwood had a number of problems and was full of remorse for what she had done.

'This was not a happy relationship.'

He said she had real insight into the offence but had now moved on with her life and was getting support and was in settled accommodation.

Judge Nicholas Coleman said it was a serious matter and said: 'It was a despicable piece of vindictiveness and you ought to be ashamed.

He said that she had wasted police time and said however unhappy the relationship, making false allegations to police was not the right thing.

'It was mean and spiteful.'

He imposed six months custody suspended for 24 months and imposed an 18 month supervision order. He also imposed a three month curfew.