A woman has been banned from using a megaphone after subjecting her neighbours to a relentless campaign of harassment involving Bible quotes and verbal abuse.
Jane Reynolds, 51, was found guilty of harassment without violence at Exeter court after using a loudspeaker to torment the family living next door in Holsworthy.
The court heard Reynolds would stand in her garden quoting scripture whilst shouting “Stitches for snitches” through the megaphone.
Her tirades included rants about “scrounging c****”, “transgender monsters” and threats about putting bullets through the heads of local “big families”.
The family of seven moved to Woodland View in 2020
District Judge Stuart Smith described the harassment as “persistent and prolonged” when sentencing Reynolds in her absence.
The family of seven, who moved to Woodland View in 2020, found their lives made unbearable by Reynolds’ behaviour, which could be triggered by minor disturbances such as a dog barking or bin collections.
Reynolds would use a Tannoy system to bellow abuse in the street, regularly reading Bible quotes and prayers whilst playing music at full volume.
She frequently shouted, “fat s**g” at her neighbours and directed abuse at their children.
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Reynolds was found guilty of harassment without violence at Exeter court
When a fence was erected between the properties, Reynolds responded by displaying posters in her window reading: “Lying scum”.
Her rants covered topics ranging from Covid vaccinations to conspiracy theories about government agents.
The family told the court they “lived in fear” of triggering Reynolds’ outbursts, with even the slightest movement potentially setting her off.
They rarely invited visitors due to concerns about verbal attacks.
Warren Robinson, defending, said Reynolds was “unwell and not just angry”.
She has since been diagnosed with a delusional disorder and is receiving mental health treatment.
Reynolds, who no longer resides at the Woodland View property and is now under the care of mental health services, received a two-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £600 in fines and compensation.
The court banned her from using any public address system in public for two years.