THE mother of Pantyffynnon murderer Maxine Williams has been released from jail after last-minute efforts at Swansea crown court.

Judge Keith Thomas agreed to release Julie Edwards, 43, on condition she immediately began an alcohol education course.

Maxine, now 24, was jailed in October 2008 for stabbing Bernard Evans, her mother's partner, to death.

Julie Edwards admitted twice threatening to kill her new partner Paul Quilligan.

Brian Simpson, prosecuting, said Edwards, of Pantyffynnon Road, appeared distressed on September 2 and her probation officer, Kirsty McDowell, drove to her home.

Edwards began making threats to kill Mr Quilligan which were so convincing Ms McDowell thought she might kill him there and then.

Edwards told her: "Me and Maxine, we are the same. We have it in us.

"I would not have done it before (Maxine) but I'm capable of it now."

She said she had attacked Mr Quilligan a few days earlier and he had been lucky that she had not killed him then.

The probation officer persuaded her to go to a doctor's surgery where police arrested her.

Edwards had been remanded in custody ever since.

Edwards denied a charge of harassing another daughter, Nicole Marie Williams, by threatening to set Maxine on her.

Mr Simpson said the prosecution was willing to withdraw the charge because Edwards had agreed to become the subject of a restraining order prohibiting her from contacting Nicole Williams for the next two years.

Edwards' barrister, Carina Hughes, said she had a "sad history" and to make matters worse her brother had recently died.

She was also troubled at having to live in the house where Bernard Evans was killed.

Because of her remand into custody she was now "dry" and Edwards herself told the judge she was desperate to begin the alcohol education course.

The court heard that amongst Edwards' 16 previous convictions were three for assaulting police officers.

Judge Thomas said Edwards had suffered misfortunes throughout her life but it was time for her to change.

She was sentenced to 11 months in jail, suspended for two years, placed under supervision for two years, and ordered to attend 20 sessions of an alcohol activity course.