Bibi Cotman, 55, had not been in contact with the female victim for that same period of time until suddenly sending the evening text, which was full of historic work grievances and wishing a painful death on the victim.
“It was a nasty message, received out of the blue from an unknown number and was quite threatening,” announced District Judge Rebecca Saillet last week.
Mother-of-one Cotman, of Houblon Road, Richmond-upon-Thames fought the case, but was convicted of sending an offensive communication to Wimbledon resident Maureen Duffy on October 23, last year.
“Ms Cotman did not give any evidence today so I have no explanation as to what may have been going on with her that day,” added the judge.
The Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court trial heard the retired victim received the text from Cotman at 9.45pm, which read: “You, my dear are one of the nastiest, self-centred, most narcissistic, self-serving c**** I’ve met.
“I’ve never forgotten the trauma you caused me, thinking you could control people with your ridiculous work ethic to be like the Devil Wears Prada when in reality you were a spinster taking your anger out on others.
“I hope you die a slow cancerous death you c***. Cheers.”
Cotman claims she has no memory of the text and tried to beat the charge by insisting she had her own mental health challenges at the time.
However, Judge Saillet ruled: “Many that come before these courts suffer mental health difficulties, but that in itself is not a defence or having no memory of sending the message.
“There is no evidence she was going through a crisis and it was sent to an ex-employer with work grudges.
“I am satisfied Ms Cotman sent the message with intent to cause stress and anxiety and find her guilty of the offence.”
Prosecutor Lucy Bleichroeder told the trial the victim reported the text to police, who quickly identified Cotman as the sender as they had a record of her phone number from four recent calls she made to emergency services.
In her statement the victim, who lives alone, said: “I worry constantly about being attacked due to this message.”
Cotman was questioned at Kingston Police Station on December 9, but refused to answer questions and sat in silence.
She suffered a brain aneurysm in 2023 and called her own consultant forensic psychologist Chireal Shallow, who told the trial: “This is a very nuanced and complex situation.”
Cotman’s lawyer Pat Lloyd said: “She had nothing to do with this woman for seventeen years and never saw her or spoke to her.
“She is going to be evicted shortly from her home, which she shares with her sixteen year-old daughter, because she has not paid the rent.
“She does not know where she is going and is in receipt of £1900 per month Universal Credit.
“She says she did not mean it and it is unlike her and it was a one-off and she is at the end of her tether today and she would love to have the chance to apologise.”
From the back of the courtroom Cotman said: “It was a horrible message and it was a shock when it was read to me. It is not okay.”
She was ordered to pay £50 compensation to the victim, plus £100 court costs by Judge Judge Saillet, who told her: “I’ve heard what you said and appreciate that you appreciate it wasn’t a nice message to receive.
“I know you have difficulties in your life, but I did find you guilty of sending a very nasty message to poor Mrs Duffy and the compensation is for the fear and distress you caused her that night.”
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