A WOMAN who shouted obscenities in the street about her neighbour’s husband has been given a restraining order.

Valerie Burns, 54, could be heard outside by the victim, who was in the bathroom of her home in Whitehaven on the afternoon of September 23.

Pamela Fee, prosecuting at Workington Magistrates’ Court, said the victim recognised the voice of the defendant, who had been her neighbour for some time.

Burns was shouting obscenities about the victim’s husband, who was not at home. The victim did not see Burns but was upset that she was shouting about her husband.

The defendant was described as slurring her words and being unsteady on her feet. There were other neighbours outside who heard Burns shouting obscenities.

The matter was reported to the police when the victim’s husband returned home. Burns gave ‘no comment’ to the majority of questions during police interview.

The court heard that Burns also “shouts a lot” and bangs on the victim’s wall.

A victim impact statement read to the court said that the woman now “feels distressed” when she’s at home and the incident has knocked her confidence.

She said: “Being at home causes me to be unhappy. I’m scared my neighbour is going to come round.”

The victim said she had tried to see if she could sell the house and had obtained a valuation but decided not to sell when she found out she would have to disclose the harassment to potential buyers.

Ms Fee said it was clear that the parties involved “do not get along” and made an application for a restraining order.

Burns, of Wordsworth Road, Whitehaven, pleaded guilty to using threatening or abusive words or behaviour within the hearing or sound of someone, likely to cause them distress.

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John Cooper, defending, said: “As you have heard, neighbours who haven’t got on for some period of time. She has given me her side of the story. I’m not going to go into it in open court.

“She told me she has mental health difficulties, exacerbated by neighbours. There was no alcohol on that day. She was manic.

“She knew [the victim’s husband] wasn’t in. She was shouting in annoyance. It’s not something you should be shouting in the street.

“You’ve heard she was unsteady on her feet. It was a week before she was due to go in for a hip operation.

“The initial argument was over a fence. Something relatively stupid has blown up on both sides.”

Magistrates granted a restraining order which bans the defendant from contacting the victim for two years.

Burns was also fined £247 and must pay £85 costs and a £99 victim surcharge.