A therapist who was harassed for more than a month and had her business falsely branded a 'nonce house' said she 'fears being attacked' as her stalker appeared in court.
Katie Cooley was targeted by Leah Dipnall, 23, during a cruel stalking campaign between October 8 and November 28 last year.
The harasser previously admitted to setting up social media accounts attacking Ms Cooley, claiming the victim was having 'sexual relations with all the residents' at her place of work.
Dipnall took pictures from the victim's social media and sexualised them, changed the nature of her business online to a 'sex shop' and emailed her saying 'die b***h', a court was told previously.
Leah Dipnall, 23, pictured, memek bernanah pleaded guilty to stalking after falsely branding therapist Katie Cooley's workplace a 'nonce house' during a month-long harassment campaign
Speaking at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Ms Cooley described how the 'cruel attack' will stay with her forever.
'Never have I ever been referred to as a sexual pervert, a nonce, or part of a sex ring,' she said.
'Whilst giving my police statement, that took 12 hours, in detail I had the distressing experience of looking at the porn impersonating me and had to listen to the messages sent to me.
Never have I ever felt so embarrassed or ashamed.'
Ms Cooley explained that she had to go through all the content shared by Dipnall with her dad and police present - saying it was a source of deep embarrassment.
The defendant was granted bail until the next hearing at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, pictured
She added that since the harassment she has 'feared physical attacks from members of the public' and has been unable to do her job as a therapist.
She told the court the business she built up over a number of years was ruined in a 'matter of weeks'.
She added that her name cannot be used in the therapy industry and she has had to spend thousands of pounds on a complete rebrand.
'I had to cut short the therapy of six individuals that desperately needed help at the time.
I was prevented from continuing our work,' she said.
'Financially it has cost me thousands. The loss I have experienced has been extremely hurtful after years of building my business.'
Ms Cooley explained that her patients had to find new therapists, which could delay their treatment for months, and she has questioned the future of her career.
A late submission for a mental health treatment assessment meant that Kay Driver, mitigating, had to request an adjournment of the sentencing - delaying justice for Ms Cooley who was present in court.
Meanwhile, Mr Michael Blakey accepted this and the case was adjourned until March 6, 2023 to allow Dipnall to be allocated a practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist to carry out the assessment.
Dipnall, of Oakfield Road in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to stalking causing serious alarm and distress.
The defendant was granted bail until the next hearing which is due to take place at the same court.