Eleanor Williams has complex post-traumatic stress disorder that may have arisen from 'childhood trauma', a court has heard.

Preston Crown Court heard forensic psychiatrist Dr Lucy Bacon had several meetings with the 22-year-old defendant, starting in 2019.

Speaking as Williams was being sentenced on nine counts of perverting the course of justice, she told the court she believed Williams was suffering from the mental illness and had exhibited all the 'essential' symptoms.

She said during their sessions Williams had opened up about 'abusive and unpleasant experiences' during childhood.

Dr Bacon said: "Because I've been seeing Miss Williams for a long period of time I've been able to build up a therapeutic relationship with her.

"She's someone who struggles to talk about herself, to open up.

"She finds it hard with men.

"She's opened up to me about abusive and unpleasant experiences in her childhood.

"She's spoken to me about things she says happened in her childhood."

The doctor said repeated exposure to domestic violence as a child can cause trauma.

She said Williams also demonstrated other signs, including suicidal ideation, engaging in substance abuse and having nightmares and flashbacks.

Louise Blackwell, mitigating, said the psychological evidence was not being presented in an effort to reduce Williams' culpability, but to provide a picture of the defendant's circumstances.

The court heard in a report by another psychiatrist Dr Martin Lock, commissioned by the prosecution, he was unable to find a psychiatric diagnosis, finding Williams to have an 'immature personality and a considerable amount of anger'.

Jonathan Sandiford, prosecuting, asked Dr Bacon whether someone could look up the diagnostic criteria for certain mental disorders online.

She said yes.

The court was also told Williams had been placed on a prison wing for women with 'significant' mental health issues and that she was considered vulnerable.

On Tuesday Williams' barrister is due to continue her representations.

The judge Robert Altham, the honorary recorder of Preston, is then due to deliver his sentencing remarks, which the court heard are due to be broadcast.