A mother has been fined for hurling abuse at her neighbour.

Judith Petrie, 46, of Cumberland Street, Workington, admitted using threatening or abusive words likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.

West Cumbria magistrates heard that on November 28, Petrie shouted an obscene comment at her neighbour, which he recorded on his phone.

Diane Jackson, prosecuting, said it had occurred as part of an ongoing neighbour dispute.

Ian Nancolis, defending, said: "She accepts what she says is entirely inappropriate. You can see how distressed she is today."

He said a number of incidents, which had taken place prior to the offence, had been reported to the police.

These included the locks to Petrie's front door being superglued, taxis and pizzas sent to her house, and bleach sprayed on her washing.

The court heard that on the day of the offence, Petrie had heard her neighbour "gloating" about a near road traffic accident which involved her daughter, who had recently passed her driving test.

Mr Nancolis said she had been subject to an awful lot of provocation over time and had snapped when it involved her daughter.

"People can only put up with so much," he said.

Petrie was fined £50 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.

Magistrate Mr Coulson said: "If you want to do the right thing, do not take the law into your own hands."