An appeal court yesterday quashed a custodial sentence imposed on a would-be model who harassed Crimewatch presenter Rav Wilding on Twitter and Facebook.

Toneeta Beckford, 24, was originally handed a 20-week suspended jail term after being found guilty of harassment by magistrates in April.

But a judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court, sitting alongside two magistrates, yesterday replaced the sentence with a community order and 50 hours of unpaid work after ruling that Ms Beckford had shown genuine remorse following her initial arrest.

Ms Beckford’s original trial at Warley Magistrates’ Court heard that she was first interviewed by police in November last year after sending abusive and threatening messages to Mr Wilding, who was then starring in Strictly Come Dancing.

Some of the comments posted on Facebook included a reference to “Judgment Day” – which the television personality feared may be a reference to the 1999 murder of previous Crimewatch host Jill Dando.

Stephen Thomas, representing the Crown at yesterday’s hearing, said Wilding was caused distress and concern by the postings and had assumed that “Judgment Day” was a reference to some sort of retribution.

But Ms Beckford’s counsel, David Iles, said his client had never heard of Miss Dando and that none of the messages had threatened physical harm to Mr Wilding.

Inviting the court to overturn the custodial sentence, Mr Iles said Ms Beckford, of New Hope Road, Smethwick, wanted to apologise to both the court and Mr Wilding.

Judge Michael Challinor accepted Mr Iles’ submission that the original sentence was inappropriate despite the “rancorous, spiteful, insulting and threatening” nature of the messages.

The judge said: “It is clear to us that your view towards Mr Wilding changed and that you apologised in your own way.

“We are of the view that you now show real remorse. We do not consider that this offence warrants the imposition of a sentence of imprisonment, albeit suspended.”

But the appeal court ruled that a restraining order – which bans Ms Beckford from making any contact with Mr Wilding – should remain in force indefinitely.