A NIGHTMARE neighbour has become the first homeowner in the Basildon district to be jailed for anti-social behaviour.

Linda Faulkner's reign of terror towards her neighbours, in Long Acre, Basildon, has ended with her being given a three-month prison sentence.

Faulkner, 48, was sentenced at Southend County Court on Friday, after breaching an injunction brought by Basildon Council and St Georges Community Housing.

She was arrested after breaking the terms of the order, which banned her from drinking in public, threatening anyone in her road and damaging people's property.

The court heard how Faulkner twice screamed foul and abusive language to neighbours, in a drunken rage, earlier this month.

The council has only ever evicted problem neighbours in the past, who were tenants in local authority owned homes.

The council had no power to kick Faulkner out, as she owns her own house, so took out a court injunction instead.

Chris Johnson, spokesman for St Georges Community Housing's antisocial behaviour team, said: "These families suffered months of misery, as a result of this woman's appalling behaviour.

"We will not tolerate problem neighbours who wreak havoc in the community and ruin other people's lives.

"This is the first time we have secured a court injunction of this kind against a private homeowner, who is now paying the price for ignoring it.

"This sentence should come as a warning to any other persistent troublemakers of the tough penalties they face."

Faulkner escaped jail last month, when she was called before Southend County Court for breaching the injunction.

She swore loudly in public, during a domestic row.

The injunction was originally served after Faulkner threatened neighbours, played loud music and police had been called to her address numerous times to deal with fights.

She also knocked at a neighbour's door wearing only underwear, swigged vodka and swore in the street, as well as making hoax calls to the police and fire service.