Asbo-breach woman, 81, is jailed

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Dorothy Evans, of Abergavenny, South Wales, was due to be sentenced on Monday for one conviction of harassment and six breaches of her anti-social behaviour order, but failed to attend Cardiff Crown Court.

Judge Roderick Denyer QC said he would issue a warrant for her arrest if she did not turn up on Tuesday.

Sentencing Evans, the judge said: "It seems to me, despite your age and despite your infirmities, you have deliberately, for a period going on for 10 years, made life a misery for neighbours.

"In my view, the consequences of your behaviour must be brought home to you."

Evans' barrister, David Webster, told the court she was "fearful in a way I cannot fully describe" of going to prison. He said that, because of this, the best punishment would be a suspended prison sentence to act as a deterrent and protect her neighbours.

An immediate jail term, he said, could make the problem worse.

"Send her to prison and the deterrent effect of that ultimate sanction will rapidly evaporate," he said.

"The danger in my submission is she might come out far from reformed and deterred but merely confirmed in her behaviour."

Mr Webster added: "She is capable of being a good neighbour. This is a lady who has another side and there are those who have known her a long time who are prepared to speak well of her."