Shirley Capp, 60, threatened her next-door neighbour Marian Westerman after hearing what she had told detectives, Sheffield Crown Court was told.

Ms Capp believed the comments led to her daughter's remand in custody before the Soham trial.

She denies a charge of intimidating a witness at last year's hearing.

Murder probe

Michael Cranmer-Brown, prosecuting, told the court Mrs Westerman had originally gone to the police with the encouragement of the defendant after Carr was arrested on suspicion of murder by officers investigating the Soham case.

He said her co-operation with the police was originally welcomed by Ms Capp because it allegedly placed Carr in Grimsby at the time of the murders and therefore helped to prove she could not have been involved.

But it was said that when Ms Capp discovered there were things in the statement she did not like, she threatened Mrs Westerman on May 13 last year.

During a heated argument, Ms Capp told Ms Westerman: "You are dead, watch your back," the jury was told.

"She said it was all my fault Maxine was in prison," Ms Westerman added.

'Death threat'

She said she left the house "scared and frightened" with Ms Capp still shouting abuse and threats at her.

She added: "She said I was going to be dead if I went to court."

Asked by Mr Cranmer-Brown how she felt about being a witness, she said: "I didn't want to do it."

"Reason?" Mr Cranmer-Brown asked her. "I want to live," she replied.

The court was told Westerman's evidence did not lead to the conviction of Carr on two counts of assisting an offender, of which she was acquitted.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.