Social worker Peter Roberts, 51, of Roman Road, Failsworth, attacked Leah McAdams last August, Minshull Street Crown Court, in Manchester, was told.

It happened a day before she was due to be evicted from her home in Alt Grove, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, for anti-social behaviour.

Roberts admitted violent disorder and possession of a firearm.

What happened is nothing short of an outrageous offence. These people took the law into their own hands Judge Bernard Lever

The court was told Ms McAdams was known for playing loud music, swearing at residents and hosting all night parties.

Roberts had taken action after a relative begged with Ms McAdams to turn her music down.

He took a loaded shotgun from his car and then hid it in a bush while his relatives broke into the teenager's house, kicking down a back door and smashing a window.

They were armed with a metal bar and a hammer and began kicking the teenager and her friends.

Passing sentence, Judge Bernard Lever said: "Leah McAdams and some of her associates were neighbours from hell.

"She was going to be evicted the next day for 25 particulars including outrageous noise and disturbance at night and telling people who complained to get lost in foul abusive language.

Electronic tag

"But what happened is nothing short of an outrageous offence.

"These people took the law into their own hands."

Roberts' wife Jacqueline, 54, their son Mark Hudson, 35, brother-in-law Geoffrey Bamber, 49, and friend Jeffrey Rollinson, 30, also admitted violent disorder.

Mrs Roberts and Rollinson, both of Alt Grove, were sentenced to 240 hours community service each while Rollinson was ordered to be electronically tagged for six months.

Bamber, of Alt Grove, was jailed for 18 months while Hudson, of Derby Street, Failsworth, was jailed for six months.