A WOMAN charged with harassing the family of a girl who disappeared more than 30 years ago has had her case adjourned for the third time.

Donna Louise Wright is accused of using social networking site Facebook to harass Katrice Lee's sister, Natasha, and mother, Sharon, for almost a year.

Two-year-old Katrice went missing in 1981 while shopping with her mother in Germany, where her father Richard, from Hartlepool, was stationed with the Army.

Despite international appeals she has never been found.

Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court, in County Durham, heard today (Wednesday, January 30) that Miss Wright was not well enough to attend court.

The 33-year-old, of Hillside Court, Spennymoor, County Durham, is charged with pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to harassment.

She is accused of sending numerous emails and Facebook postings to the victims between December 4, 2011 and November 24, 2012.

District Judge Martin Walker was told that Wright had been discharged from hospital but was not deemed medically fit to attend court.

He asked that at the next hearing she either attend in person or more detailed reasons for her absence be given.

He said: "This is a high profile case with a great deal of public interest because of the complainants in this matter.

"It is not fair to the public who have a legitimate interest in this case that it keeps on being adjourned.

"Progress is necessary for the complainant, defendant and public at large."

Jane Scott, defending, said she had instructed a psychiatrist and hoped more information would be available at the next hearing.

Judge Walker adjourned the case to the same court on February 27.

He extended Miss Wright's bail which includes conditions not to communicate with any member of the Lee family.