A pensioner who flashed arresting officers has been found guilty of breaching a restraining order just five days after it was issued.

Joan Nisbet, 70, of Godstone Road, Kenley, whose harassment of her neighbours drove one to attempt suicide, avoided jail despite being on a 26-week suspended sentence for common assault.

Nisbet was found not guilty of a charge of common assault.

Appearing at Croydon Magistrates Court on November 10 Nisbet was accused of loudly reading a newspaper extract containing details of neighbour Paul Crowley’s attempted suicide while he and his wife were in the garden.

Giving evidence Mr Crowley said: “It was like she was celebrating. I had to go inside, it just felt like everything was closing in on me. During the last 14 months she has totally ruined my life.”

Nisbet was handed the restraining order on September 27 this year after pleading guilty to common assault and harassment, after a campaign of antagonise against the Crowleys including spraying weed killer in Lorraine Crowley’s face.

The court heard how on October 2 the Crowley’s were in their garden when she began to read from the local newspaper.

Mrs Crowley said: “She read about my husband’s suicide attempt and said ‘Shame he couldn’t bloody get it right’.”

Maria Gunner who lives the other side of Nisbet supported this evidence saying she heard Nisbet reading loudly to her gardener and swearing.

PC Rory Burchett, who arrested Nisbet the following day told the court she was uncooperative, rude and refused to be interviewed.

He said: “She was so drunk I had to help her with her coat. She lifted her dress and flashed the officers.”

In defence Nisbet denied the charges and said she had formally complained about PC Burchett who she accused of bias.

She said: "He is a bigot and a bully and has always taken their side. I haven’t done these things but if there is three of them and just me I cannot defend myself."

Chair of Bench Marian Down re-issued the restraining order and issued an 18 month community order to attend counselling over an alcohol problem and to have victim awareness sessions as part of a supervision order.