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'Neighbour from hell' OAP jailed 'Neighbour from hell' OAP jailed
(20 minutes later)
An 81-year-old woman has been jailed for six months for making her neighbours' lives "absolute hell".An 81-year-old woman has been jailed for six months for making her neighbours' lives "absolute hell".
Dorothy Evans, from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, had been convicted of harassment and six breaches of an Asbo.Dorothy Evans, from Abergavenny in Monmouthshire, had been convicted of harassment and six breaches of an Asbo.
Judge Roderick Denyer QC said he took into account her age but said she had made her neighbours' lives "a misery".Judge Roderick Denyer QC said he took into account her age but said she had made her neighbours' lives "a misery".
She had been threatened with arrest after failing to appear in court for sentence on Monday, claiming she was unwell and in hospital having tests.She had been threatened with arrest after failing to appear in court for sentence on Monday, claiming she was unwell and in hospital having tests.
You have, for going on for 10 years, made life a misery for your neighbours Judge Roderick Denyer QCYou have, for going on for 10 years, made life a misery for your neighbours Judge Roderick Denyer QC
The judge added: "These offences all involve neighbours of yours. It's abundantly clear you will not change.The judge added: "These offences all involve neighbours of yours. It's abundantly clear you will not change.
"I accept that there is a good and positive side to your nature but it seems to be that in spite of your age and infirmities that you have, for going on for 10 years, made life a misery for your neighbours.""I accept that there is a good and positive side to your nature but it seems to be that in spite of your age and infirmities that you have, for going on for 10 years, made life a misery for your neighbours."
He told Evans her sentence would have been "much longer if you had been younger".He told Evans her sentence would have been "much longer if you had been younger".
Also, the existing Asbo order will remain in place.Also, the existing Asbo order will remain in place.
There is no doubt that this is a woman that stands in terror of a prison sentence David Webster, defending
He said that Evans' neighbours Angela and Roberto Casa were "eminently decent and reasonable people".He said that Evans' neighbours Angela and Roberto Casa were "eminently decent and reasonable people".
There is no doubt that this is a woman that stands in terror of a prison sentence David Webster, defending
"You made their lives a misery, as was apparent both at the trial and by the witness impact statements"."You made their lives a misery, as was apparent both at the trial and by the witness impact statements".
The judge, who told her she would serve a minimum of three months in jail, also criticised her for failing to cooperate with the probation service.The judge, who told her she would serve a minimum of three months in jail, also criticised her for failing to cooperate with the probation service.
Her daughter broke down and sobbed when the sentence was passed.Her daughter broke down and sobbed when the sentence was passed.
'Frightening experience''Frightening experience'
David Webster, defending, asked for her not to be sent to prison, saying she had a "fear" of going to jail.David Webster, defending, asked for her not to be sent to prison, saying she had a "fear" of going to jail.
"There is no doubt that this is a woman that stands in terror of a prison sentence," he said."There is no doubt that this is a woman that stands in terror of a prison sentence," he said.
Mr Webster said that a suspended sentence she was given in 2001 was the only thing she had not breached and had been a "good deterrent".Mr Webster said that a suspended sentence she was given in 2001 was the only thing she had not breached and had been a "good deterrent".
"Send her to prison and the deterrent effect of that will rapidly evaporate," he said."Send her to prison and the deterrent effect of that will rapidly evaporate," he said.
He also claimed that she was capable of being a good neighbour.He also claimed that she was capable of being a good neighbour.
"This is a lady who does have another side . There are those who have known her for a long time who are prepared to speak well of her."This is a lady who does have another side . There are those who have known her for a long time who are prepared to speak well of her.
Mrs Casa said the pensioner made her life 'absolute hell'Mrs Casa said the pensioner made her life 'absolute hell'
He added that she had become "obsessional" about the dispute with the Casas.He added that she had become "obsessional" about the dispute with the Casas.
In February, the trial heard how Evans had made her neighbours' lives "absolute hell".In February, the trial heard how Evans had made her neighbours' lives "absolute hell".
She was convicted of offences against her next-door neighbours, the Casas, in Park Crescent between January and June 2006.She was convicted of offences against her next-door neighbours, the Casas, in Park Crescent between January and June 2006.
The jury heard how Evans had told the couple's 13-year-old daughter she was a witch and would cast a spell on her family and kill her pet dog.The jury heard how Evans had told the couple's 13-year-old daughter she was a witch and would cast a spell on her family and kill her pet dog.
Angela Casa described several neighbourly disputes, including rows over parking and flooding problems.Angela Casa described several neighbourly disputes, including rows over parking and flooding problems.
She claimed the pensioner called her a prostitute and that she tried to run her off the road on several occasions and had hit her with a walking stick.She claimed the pensioner called her a prostitute and that she tried to run her off the road on several occasions and had hit her with a walking stick.