A DORSET mother has been jailed for three months after a judge branded her "the neighbour from hell".

Sentencing 49-year-old Teresa Whitaker, Judge John Beashel said: "Your behaviour towards your neighbours was outrageous. You caused them continuous distress and fear.

"You really were the neighbour from hell.

"Fortunately for them you have now left that property and they can enjoy a more normal existence."

In one of the worst cases of its kind in the county, Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Whitaker had subjected her next-door neighbours at Blackberry Lane in Christchurch to six months of abuse.

She admitted harassing the family between March 21, 2003 and October 8, 2003.

The court was told that Whitaker had lashed out at one of her neighbours on April 4 last year, threatened the woman on August 2, been abusive towards her young son on September 14 and made further threats of violence towards his mother on September 26.

Prosecuting, Robert Hill recalled how Whitaker had threatened the family, shouted abuse and banged on the adjoining walls.

Defending, Craig Ludlow described his client's life as "extremely sad."

He said she had already spent almost two months in custody and was currently staying in a bail hostel while negotiations for the sale of her semi-detached red-bricked home are taking place.

"She is anxious to have her own home again and be out of the bail hostel," he added.

Judge Beashel, who earlier made a restraining order banning Whitaker from returning to her home unless to arrange its sale, said: "This is a sad case. The pre-sentence reports catalogue a great deal of unhappiness in your life."

Having already served two months behind bars, Whitaker was immediately released to return to her bail hostel accommodation.

A Dorset police spokesman said: "The harassment was a very severe case involving threats against a two-and-a-half year-old child."

Her former neighbour, who did not want to be identified, said: "It was a nightmare. We just want to put it all behind us now and get on with our lives."

First published: April 26