A RETIRED teacher who made her neighbours’ lives a misery by playing classical music loudly at all hours has become the oldest woman to be given an antisocial behaviour order.

Jennie Smith, 74, plagued the residents of an otherwise quiet cul-de-sac in Carnforth, Lancashire, for 20 years. Her behaviour became even worse when she was widowed ten years ago and she became convinced that neighbours were pursuing a vendetta against her.

She played classical music at deafening levels to upset those living on either side of her.

She also wrote letters to the local authority falsely accusing neighbours of benefit fraud and other crimes.

Neighbours were abused every time they passed her house. Men were denounced as “child molesters” and women as “whores”. She called one 13-year-old girl a “slag”.

Smith appeared in court at Lancaster yesterday. Magistrates were told that an interim order imposed in December was regarded as a last resort after she had refused help from the police, social services and mental health workers.

Several residents who lived in the cul-de-sac turned up at court to give evidence but they were not needed to be called after Smith agreed to accept the full order.

Susan McLane, prosecuting on behalf of Lancashire Constabulary, said: “We regret that we have to press this course of action against a lady of Mrs Smith’s age but the other residents have reached the end of their tether.

“The time has passed to be sympathetic. It is one of the saddest antisocial behaviour orders (ASBOs) I have come across. We have never had anyone in front of court as old as Mrs Smith.”

The court was told that her neighbours were anxious that she receive medical help for her condition.

Under the terms of the order she is forbidden from harassing her neighbours, using abusive behaviour, making unfounded allegations against them or playing music loudly.

Anne Jackson, the chairman of the bench, said: “The defendant did act in an antisocial manner and this order is necessary to protect people in the city of Lancaster and its boundaries.”

After the hearing PC Barry Lees, a community beat officer, said that neighbours, police and the social services had all tried to help Smith.

He said: “Unfortunately, without her co-operation, the ASBO application really was the last resort. I hope now that Mrs Smith will accept the help being offered to her . . . and curtail the behaviour that has led to this court case.”

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