Neighbour from hell jailed for three months for blasting out Madonna tracks around the clock

Council officers spent two years and £20,000 of taxpayers' cash trying to silence Tracey Kirby.

But even a court order seizing her hi-fi failed to stop the 33-year-old, who hit back by borrowing another stereo.

Dave Schofield (left) complained about loud music played by Tracey Kirby (right)

After three years of complaints from her neighbours, the mother of three was handed an anti-social behaviour order in February, banning her from playing loud music at her home in Rishton, Lancashire.

Having breached the order 11 times, Kirby was sentenced to 90 days in prison after probation officers said she would not respond to another court order.

Kirby's neighbour Dave Schofield, 33, who shares his home with girlfriend Karen Lee, 28, and 11-year-old daughter Jordan-Louise, said: 'At its height this woman played Madonna and rave music at full blast at all times of the day and night.

'She loves her karaoke, too, but she screams a lot and obviously can't sing.

'Our daughter woke up because her bed was vibrating from the noise. It was that loud.

'It has affected Karen's work because she couldn't sleep at night and was still tired in the morning.

'We've lived here for about four years and it has been going on for about three.'

Hyndburn Council served a noise abatement notice on Kirby in October 2006 after residents' diaries showed how she continually pumped up the volume while playing Madonna songs.

Last year, noise officers were called to her home again over reports of yet more loud music and she admitted borrowing a 'little stereo' from a friend.

Kirby pleaded guilty to breaching the Asbo on March 27, as well as April 19 and 22.

Defence solicitor Graeme Parkinson told Hyndburn magistrates: 'I have grave concerns about the way Tracey will get on in custody because it's obvious she has problems.'

He added, however: 'Just what problems she is suffering from nobody can say for sure.'